Fact Check: SNAP cuts could save the federal government over $128 billion in a decade.

Fact Check: "SNAP cuts could save the federal government over $128 billion in a decade."

What We Know

The claim that cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could save the federal government over $128 billion in a decade is rooted in projections made by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO's analysis indicates that proposed changes to SNAP could lead to significant reductions in federal spending. Specifically, the CBO estimates that certain legislative changes could reduce direct spending by approximately $11 billion over a specified period, which aligns with the notion that broader cuts could yield substantial savings over a longer timeframe.

The CBO's reports are generally considered reliable as they are produced by a nonpartisan agency that provides budget and economic information to Congress. However, the exact figure of $128 billion is not explicitly stated in their recent reports, which raises questions about the accuracy of the claim as presented.

Analysis

While the CBO does provide estimates of potential savings from SNAP cuts, the claim of saving over $128 billion in a decade lacks direct support from the CBO's published data. The CBO's projections often depend on specific legislative proposals, which can vary significantly in their scope and impact. For example, the proposed changes mentioned in the CBO report involve adjustments to state funding requirements and benefit structures, which could lead to varying levels of savings depending on implementation (CBO, 2025).

Moreover, the reliability of the claim hinges on the interpretation of the CBO's estimates. While the agency is a credible source, the extrapolation of savings to the $128 billion figure may involve assumptions that are not universally accepted or that could change with different policy implementations. The potential for savings is contingent upon many factors, including economic conditions, legislative changes, and administrative efficiencies, which makes it difficult to assert a definitive savings amount without further context.

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim that SNAP cuts could save the federal government over $128 billion in a decade is based on projections that require further substantiation. While the CBO provides a framework for understanding potential savings, the specific figure cited lacks direct evidence from their reports. Therefore, more detailed analysis and context are needed to validate the claim fully.

Fact Check: SNAP cuts could save the federal government over $128 billion in a decade.