Republican Divisions Over SNAP Work Requirements and Budget Cuts

The Republican Party continues to grapple with internal disagreements regarding the utilization of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements as a means to fund their broader policy objectives. This discord comes at a time when House GOP leadership is facing challenges in reaching a consensus on proposed spending cuts.

Initially, House leadership aimed to advance a budget resolution through committee discussions this week, with the possibility of a floor vote occurring as early as next week. However, this timeline has been postponed due to ongoing conflicts within the party over the extent of proposed spending reductions.

Following a late-night meeting on Tuesday, Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina expressed a more optimistic outlook regarding reconciliation discussions. Norman, who is a member of the House Budget Committee and a prominent figure within the Freedom Caucus, highlighted that progress had been made.

Earlier in the week, Norman advocated for $2 trillion in spending cuts as part of the reconciliation process. At that time, the proposals from party leadership fell significantly short of this target. Nevertheless, by Wednesday, Norman indicated that advancements had been made regarding baseline and spending cut levels, though he refrained from detailing leadership’s specific proposals.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Norman acknowledged that not all members of the Freedom Caucus may support the emerging consensus, stating, “It’ll be a number that we can get consensus on.”

A document released by the House Ways and Means Committee outlines potential spending cuts designed to offset reconciliation costs, with reforms to SNAP being prominently discussed. Among these proposals, the implementation of work requirements for SNAP recipients is gaining traction. Norman asserted, “Work requirements should be a given; we shouldn’t have to fight for that,” suggesting a proposed 27-hour work requirement for able-bodied men without children.

However, the issue of SNAP work requirements remains contentious, with some Republicans holding differing views. Modifications to SNAP are likely to be a significant sticking point for House Democrats and centrist Republicans, particularly those whose constituents depend on the program.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania stated that he has yet to receive directives regarding the required level of savings his committee must identify. He stressed that any modifications to SNAP made through reconciliation would not reduce existing benefits. “Program integrity and accountability is the focus,” Thompson emphasized, while noting that the specifics are still under consideration.

Thompson is weighing various options, including the challenges faced by older individuals who lose their jobs and are ineligible for Social Security. He remarked, “Usually, employers are not looking to hire people at that age because they come with enough experience that they would come in at a higher wage. So it’s really hard for individuals when they hit that 55 until they get Social Security.”

In 2023, Thompson played a crucial role in negotiating changes to SNAP work requirements during debt ceiling discussions. Previously, able-bodied adults without dependents aged 18 to 49 were limited to receiving SNAP benefits for only three months within a three-year span unless they worked or participated in other approved activities for at least 20 hours a week.

As a result of negotiations surrounding the debt ceiling, the work requirement was extended to include individuals up to age 54, coupled with restrictions on states’ abilities to grant exemptions from workforce requirements. These provisions are set to expire in 2030.

Among the potential funding sources for reconciliation are proposals to raise the work requirement age from 54 to 56, as well as extending restrictions on state exemptions. These changes could yield approximately $5 billion in savings over a decade.

Other proposed reforms include modifications to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which could result in savings of up to $274 billion over ten years. This could involve limiting alterations made during the Biden administration or potentially repealing the administration’s expansion of the TFP altogether.

Another policy option under consideration would eliminate the tolerance threshold for improper payments within the SNAP program. Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is mandated to disregard improper payments below $56 when calculating payment error rates. If enacted through reconciliation, this policy could lead to savings of approximately $70 million over the next decade.

Current Status of Reconciliation Efforts

As the House works towards finalizing its budget resolution, Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham of South Carolina indicated that the Senate panel expects to mark up its initial resolution as early as next week. This legislation is poised to focus primarily on allocating funds for military initiatives and supporting former President Donald Trump’s border agenda.

Representative Byron Donalds of Florida emphasized that both chambers should prioritize the advancement of Trump’s agenda. “If Sen. Graham sends that over here, I would anticipate there will be a lot of people looking for that to hit the floor of the House to be voted out so it can go to the President’s desk,” Donalds noted during a press conference on Wednesday night.

Conversely, Norman cautioned that the “devil’s in the details” and stressed that the House is not obligated to accept any proposals sent over from the Senate. On Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana acknowledged positive developments following discussions with the White House, though he refrained from elaborating on the specific issues still needing resolution. He expressed optimism that details would be resolved by Thursday evening, with announcements anticipated by Friday.

“Our message to our friends and colleagues in the Senate is to allow the House to do its work,” Johnson stated. “We are moving this as quickly and expeditiously as possible.”

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