Urgent Action Needed as Trump Shifts SNAP Costs to Our State

I urge you to take immediate congressional action to address the unprecedented humanitarian and fiscal crisis created by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in our state. Since this law took effect in July 2025, at least 3.5 million Americans have already lost SNAP benefits—not because the economy worsened, but because Congress cut $187 billion from the program and imposed harsh new restrictions. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 2.4 million more Americans will lose benefits every month through 2034. This crisis extends far beyond individual hardship. The law fundamentally destabilized SNAP's fiscal foundation. Beginning October 2027, states must pay 5% to 15% of SNAP benefit costs if their error rates exceed 6%—a penalty that could cost states hundreds of millions annually and force some to withdraw from the program entirely. Additionally, the law's narrowed work requirement waivers have proven catastrophic in communities with weak job markets, despite research showing work requirements are ineffective. The American Public Health Association and hunger advocacy organizations have documented that the work requirements and eligibility restrictions are harming vulnerable populations without increasing employment. As your constituent, I urge you to: First, sponsor legislation delaying or eliminating the benefit cost-sharing penalties scheduled for October 2027, giving states realistic time to improve error rates. Second, support restoration of the $187 billion cut from SNAP and reversal of expanded work requirements. Third, advocate for broader work requirement waivers that protect communities with elevated unemployment. Fourth, fix the perverse error rate metric that incentivizes wrongful denials over assistance. Finally, use the farm bill as a legislative vehicle to rebuild SNAP's funding and reverse harmful OBBBA provisions. Four million Americans have already lost food assistance. Without congressional action, millions more will join them. Our nation's most vulnerable citizens deserve protection. I urge you to act now.