House Agriculture markup sharpens debate over proposed SNAP reforms, state cost sharing

The House Committee on Agriculture met May 13 in Washington to mark up a reconciliation committee print that would reshape Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rules and put new costs on states as part of broader deficit savings and farm bill investments.

The committee chair, Chairman Thompson, said the package is necessary "to restore integrity to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP" and to meet reconciliation instructions from the concurrent budget resolution; he described the measure as a way to "put the farm back in the farm bill." The text before the committee would expand work requirements for certain adults, require a minimal state benefit cost share beginning in 2028, and change how program error rates and state waivers are handled.

Why it matters: SNAP serves about 42 million people nationwide and is integral to food security for children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Committee Democrats said the measure’s changes would reduce access, while Republicans argued the reforms are needed to curb waste and preserve the program long term.

Most important facts

- The committee considered an amendment (Amendment 13) offered by Representative Hayes (D‑Conn.) that would have blocked implementation of SNAP changes until USDA and every state agency certified the changes would not reduce benefits or…