Senate Parliamentarian Blocks GOP Plan to Shift Food Stamp Costs to States, Citing Rule Violation

June 21, 2025
Senate Parliamentarian Blocks GOP Plan to Shift Food Stamp Costs to States, Citing Rule Violation
  • The multitrillion-dollar package aims to extend expiring tax cuts from President Trump's first term and introduce new tax breaks, but it has faced significant scrutiny due to its complexity and potential impacts on health care and food programs.

  • Additional provisions found in violation of the Byrd Rule include making certain immigrants ineligible for food stamps and various funding measures related to disaster recovery and environmental regulations.

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar criticized the GOP proposal, emphasizing the importance of protecting families in need and warning that shifting nutrition assistance costs to states could lead to significant cuts.

  • Despite passing in the House along party lines, the multitrillion-dollar package is undergoing revisions in the Senate amidst strong opposition from Democrats.

  • The Byrd Rule, which governs the budget reconciliation process, prohibits certain policy measures from being included in the bill, complicating the GOP's legislative efforts.

  • The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a GOP proposal to transfer food stamp costs from the federal government to the states violates Senate rules, marking a significant setback for the Republicans' tax and spending cut bill.

  • Republican leaders now face a critical decision: they can either revise the proposals to comply with the Byrd Rule, remove them from the package, or risk challenges during voting in a divided Senate.

  • Lawmakers have expressed concerns that states may struggle to absorb the additional costs of food aid, which has traditionally been federally funded, potentially impacting over 40 million SNAP recipients.

  • The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the House-approved package could add at least $2.4 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade and result in over 10 million people losing health care coverage, along with cuts to food stamps affecting more than 3 million individuals.

  • Senator John Boozman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, stated that his team is exploring compliant options to ensure that SNAP effectively serves those in need while managing taxpayer money responsibly.

  • The parliamentarian's ongoing assessments will continue to address key aspects of the bill, including its reliance on 'current policy' versus 'current law' for determining deficit impacts.

  • The parliamentarian's office plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the Byrd Rule, which has led to multiple provisions, including those affecting SNAP, being found in violation.

Summary based on 6 sources


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