The U.S. Senate has narrowly passed President Trump's spending bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, with a 51-50 vote, including a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.

This budget bill proposes significant cuts to food assistance programs, particularly impacting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could affect approximately 1.4 million North Carolinians.

In the House of Representatives, a budget bill has also been passed, proposing a $300 billion cut to SNAP, with 11 out of North Carolina's 15 House members voting in favor.

Among the proposed changes, the bill seeks to raise the age for workforce requirements for SNAP eligibility from 54 to 64, marking the largest cut to SNAP since its inception in 1939.

These cuts could transfer $700 million in costs to North Carolina's state budget annually, risking funding gaps that would adversely affect food assistance programs and local communities.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services warns that if the state is forced to assume some SNAP costs, it could face significant financial burdens, potentially costing between $420 million and $700 million each year.

Experts warn that such cuts to SNAP will likely increase hunger rates and destabilize families, negatively impacting children's health and educational outcomes.

Contrary to claims of fraud and abuse, most SNAP recipients are vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, veterans, and working families, who rely on this support for their basic needs.

Food bank officials have expressed concerns that cuts to SNAP will exacerbate food insecurity, particularly in rural communities where the local economy heavily relies on food assistance.

Governor Josh Stein has condemned the bill, arguing it aims to provide tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable populations relying on food assistance.

Alongside 22 other Democratic governors, Stein has publicly opposed the bill, urging Congress to preserve SNAP benefits for those in need.

The bill now faces challenges in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson indicated he can afford to lose three votes for it to still pass, with discussions scheduled to begin soon.