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Assembly urges Congress to reverse SNAP cuts as members clash over fraud and work requirements
Summary
The Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 3 urging Congress to prevent cuts to SNAP; floor debate exposed partisan differences over fraud enforcement and proposed work requirements.
The Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 3 on June 4, 2025, urging Congress to prevent cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related state CalFresh benefits.
Assemblymember Isabel Calderon presented SJR 3 on behalf of Senator Areguin, saying the federal reductions will reduce benefits for Californians and harm food security statewide. Supporters, including Assemblymember Lee (Human Services Committee chair) and Assemblymember Patel, described the recently enacted federal changes as a deep reduction in food assistance and said cuts would worsen hunger and harm local economies: Lee cited estimates that cuts would total roughly $287 billion over 10 years and noted SNAP supports millions of Californians and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Opponents, led by Assemblymember DeMaio, urged skepticism about the characterization of the federal bill, arguing the legislation focuses on fraud reduction and work or community engagement requirements; DeMaio said California's SNAP fraud rate is comparatively high and urged the state to reduce fraud to avoid cuts. Debate highlighted a policy divide: supporters argued cuts primarily transfer wealth to wealthy households while removing essential support from low‑income Californians; opponents emphasized program integrity and work expectations for able‑bodied adults.
Assemblymember Calderon closed by stressing food access and the effect on people who rely on CalFresh; the Assembly recorded coauthor additions (70) and then took a roll‑call vote on the joint resolution. The clerk reported 69 ayes, 0 noes; SJR 3 was adopted.
Clarifying figures cited during debate: speakers referenced roughly 5.5 million Californians who receive CalFresh and an estimated 20% SNAP reduction in the federal measure; proponents and opponents used different framings for those numbers. The Assembly resolution is a formal request to Congress and does not itself restore federal funding.
