Fact Check: "Trump's bill cuts nearly $300 billion from SNAP by 2034."
What We Know
The claim that Trump's bill cuts nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by 2034 is supported by several sources. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the House Republican reconciliation bill proposes a reduction in SNAP funding by approximately $295 billion through 2034. This significant cut is part of a broader effort to offset the costs associated with tax cuts included in the proposed legislation, which is estimated to add at least $2.4 trillion to the national deficit over the decade (AP News) [source-1].
The proposed changes to SNAP include shifting some costs from the federal government to states, which has been criticized for potentially leading to a loss of benefits for millions of Americans. The CBO's estimates indicate that this cost-shifting could result in a reduction or elimination of food stamps for over 3 million individuals [source-1].
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes primarily from the CBO's analysis, which is a credible and nonpartisan source of budgetary information. The CBO's estimates are widely regarded as reliable within the context of federal budget analysis. The proposed cuts to SNAP are part of a larger bill aimed at tax reform, which has been met with significant opposition from various advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers who argue that such cuts would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children and low-income families [source-3][source-7].
However, it is important to note that while the CBO estimates a cut of nearly $300 billion, the actual implementation of these cuts is contingent upon the bill passing through Congress and surviving potential legal and procedural challenges. For instance, the Senate parliamentarian has already flagged certain provisions of the bill as violations of Senate rules, which could hinder the proposed changes to SNAP [source-1].
Additionally, while the claim states "cuts nearly $300 billion," the CBO's estimate is approximately $295 billion, which is close but not exact. This minor discrepancy does not significantly undermine the overall accuracy of the claim but is worth noting for precision.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump's bill cuts nearly $300 billion from SNAP by 2034 is Partially True. The CBO's analysis supports the assertion that the proposed legislation would lead to significant reductions in SNAP funding. However, the actual implementation of these cuts is uncertain and dependent on the legislative process, which may alter the final outcome. The minor discrepancy in the estimated amount also suggests a need for careful wording when discussing such claims.
