Lawmakers press USDA over SNAP, nutrition program cuts and alleged fraud; Rollins pledges reviews and sting operations
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Summary
Members from both parties pressed Secretary Rollins about the administration's proposals and actions on SNAP and other nutrition programs, and about recent enforcement and fraud investigations; Rollins said USDA is working to reduce error, waste and abuse while protecting benefits for needy families.
Members of the House Agriculture Committee pressed USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on proposed cuts to nutrition programs and recent agency actions to review or freeze some local purchase and emergency food programs. Rollins defended a department effort to root out fraud, waste and abuse and said the USDA had executed recent sting operations jointly with law enforcement that uncovered tens of millions of dollars in improper payments.
Rollins told the committee that total SNAP participation stands at about 42 million and that the department spends approximately $400 million per day on nutrition programs; she said the program’s growth over recent years has increased exposure to fraud and error and that USDA is aggressively pursuing waste and abuse. Several Democrats warned that cuts to programs such as the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) would harm food banks and producers who sell to schools and local programs; Rollins said some unfrozen funds had been reinstated after review.
Why it matters: SNAP and nutrition programs represent the largest share of federal farm‑related spending and also intersect with markets for specialty crops, dairies and local producers. Lawmakers said changes to these programs can ripple through local food systems and farmer revenues.
Most important facts: Rollins said SNAP participation is roughly 42 million and that USDA is pursuing fraud investigations; she also said that some contracts and grants that were frozen in agency reviews have been unfrozen but asked members to flag specific problems. Members cited lost truckloads of food in individual districts after program cancellations and urged USDA to restore or replace funds quickly.
Supporting details: Rollins described sting operations and law enforcement activity on SNAP fraud and called for better state cooperation on data sharing so the department can detect improper payments. Democrats urged the department to protect food‑bank funding and local purchase programs that link farmers to community feeding efforts.
Ending: Rollins said she would provide requested data and work with members on implementation questions; members said they would continue oversight to ensure food access and to protect both producers and low‑income households.