Protecting food assistance: Farm Bill and Appropriations

The nation’s most critical food assistance programs are under attack and we must push back. In the media, in communications with lawmakers, and in person during the RESULTS National Conference, tell Congress that no one should go hungry.

Farm Bill

The House recently passed a very weak Farm Bill, which is the bill that funds and sets the rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP received the largest cut in the program’s history last year as part of H.R. 1, otherwise known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For the first time, states will be required to pay for part of SNAP benefits. States cannot afford this, and many will likely cut benefits or reduce how many people can get help to make up for the loss of federal funding. 

These cuts have already led to more than 3 million people losing SNAP benefits. That is before the new state cost-sharing rule begins. When this rule takes effect at the end of this year, millions more could lose access. 

The amount a state will be required to pay is based off the “SNAP error rate”, which measures payment mistakes (see how much your state will need to pay and call it out in your letters to the editor and op-eds!). A few states have been given more time to comply with the new rule. Those politically motivated decisions are unfair. All states should receive the same amount of time to adjust before the cuts go into effect.  

Unfortunately, the House Farm bill did nothing to reverse or delay the harmful cuts from H.R. 1. The Senate must reverse course and reject the House bill or include provisions to give states an equal amount of time to comply with the deep cuts. Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee are already calling for this. Since the Farm Bill requires 60 votes in the Senate this is a good sign, but we must hold them to it. 

Concerns about SNAP are not limited to one party. A bipartisan group of governors have been sounding the alarm about their state’s inability to pay for the deep cuts to federal funding. Lawmakers in Washington need to listen and give states more time, or better yet, remove the harmful state cost sharing policy all together.  

It is unclear exactly when the Senate will take up the Farm Bill, but it will likely be considered between mid-June to mid-July. The time to make your voice heard is now. 

WIC Fruit and Vegetable Program under attack

The House also passed an Agriculture appropriations bill that includes massive cuts to the WIC fruit and vegetable cuts for fiscal year 2027 (FY27). The proposed bill cuts $200 million from WIC compared to current levels. Of that $200 million, $141 million comes from the Fruit and Vegetable program affecting as many as 5.4 million toddlers, preschoolers, and pregnant or postpartum mothers. At a time of rising food costs and efforts to prohibit certain food items in the name of “improving the health” of children, it is unconscionable that Congress would propose cutting the WIC Fruit and Vegetable program.  

According to the National WIC Association: 

“The House proposal fails WIC families when they need help most. At a time when food costs are skyrocketing and families are facing deep economic uncertainty, this bill would reduce overall WIC funding and slash fruit and vegetable benefits for mothers and young children. It would force WIC to turn away eligible families for the first time in 30 years, breaking Congress’ 30-year bipartisan commitment to full WIC funding. For the families who receive WIC, it chips away at their ability to buy the very fruits and vegetables that federal dietary guidelines say all Americans should eat more of.” 

As with all appropriations legislation, the House isn’t the final word. The Senate has a say too. They must reject these harmful cuts to WIC and make sure new and expectant parents and their children have access to healthy food. The Senate has not yet announced when they will markup their FY27 Agriculture appropriations bill, but they are expected to do so by early summer.  

Why this matters 

The Farm Bill and the WIC budget proposal both put food assistance at risk for millions of families. But they also give us a chance to speak out. 

By raising our voices in the media, with lawmakers, and in our communities, we can push for better policies and hold leaders accountable. 

RESULTS staff are here to support your advocacy. Thank you for your continued work to end poverty.