Last year, about 12.3% of American households were food insecure, down from a peak of 14.9% in 2011. But anti-hunger advocates worry that the Trump administration and Congress are poised to undo that progress. The White House and Republicans in Congress argue that SNAP costs too much (about $71 billion last year) and doesn't do enough to encourage recipients to work. The Trump administration is calling for $190 billion cuts over 10 years for SNAP. The U.S. House Budget Committee has similarly proposed at least $150 billion in SNAP cuts over 10 years, starting with fiscal year 2018. The proposals would reduce SNAP benefits spending between 21% and 27% a year. The good news--over the summer, Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, a Republican, reportedly resisted the large cuts. And it's unclear whether centrist Republicans will back a plan that makes dramatic cuts to SNAP, which could complicate budget negotiations this fall.
Source: Governing, 9/25/17, Potential SNAP Cuts
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