Congress Proposes Massive Cuts to SNAP; FRAC Webinar 3 PM Today; MA FY26 Budget Action Steps

In a time of significant threats to SNAP, we are grateful to all of you for your advocacy and your work to protect SNAP. We hope you have a strong cup of java before you read the below, and then you take a brisk walk/hug a tree before launching into major advocacy to protect and defend the nation’s primary nutrition programs from these unconscionable cuts!

Congress Pursues Unprecedented Level of Cuts to SNAP - Take Action!

The House Agriculture Committee has proposed over $300 billion of cuts to SNAP as part of a broader plan to give large tax breaks to the wealthy. If enacted, these cuts would harm millions of Massachusetts families, grocers and food producers for generations to come. For example House Republicans are pursuing:

• Dumping federal costs onto states to administer SNAP and pay for a portion of the benefit. For MA, this would mean about $55 million/year immediately (far more in a couple of years).
• Barring refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking and other legally-present immigrants (who pay taxes) from SNAP - immigrants who fled persecution and violence and have been federally eligible for benefits since the creation of SNAP.
• Vastly expanding the ABAWD Work Rules (SNAP time limit) to include parents with children and older adults (up to age 65).

MLRI’s analysis of each part of the bill is here. See also recent analysis from American Progress about the harm SNAP cuts would bring to retailers. But, it is NOT over yet - there’s a lot we can do to stop this train wreck!

ACTION STEPS: Dial up the noise!

• Please contact your Member of Congress, Senators Markey and Warren and urge them to loudly oppose cuts
• Take action on social media. For example, see X thread from Ty Cox of CBPP here and from Vicky at MLRI here. And, please elevate our anti-hunger champion Congressman McGovern’s comments at last night’s Agriculture Committee hearing stridently opposing massive cuts to SNAP.
• Submit an op ed/letter to the editor in your local paper - use this SNAP zip code/EBT data here to make it local
• MOST importantly - connect with family and friends in other states and ask them to do the same!

Webinar TODAY @ 3 PM: The Economic Fallout of SNAP Reductions

Just a reminder, our colleagues at the Food Research and Action Center are hosting a webinar to highlight the cost of proposed cuts to SNAP. Experts in economic policy, municipal finance, and public sector equity will share how SNAP reductions could undermine economic stability and long-term financial health at every level of government. Advocates are encouraged to invite their local elected officials to attend the webinar. Register here.

State Budget: Contact Senators this week to Co-Sponsor Key Amendments!

The MA Senate is scheduled to take up debate on their proposed FY26 budget next week. NOW is the time to ask Senators to co-sponsor key amendments (over 1,000 filed). Please reach out to your Senators to urge their co-sponsorship and to speak to Senate Leadership to adopt the amendment.

Need to know who your State Senator is? Go to FindMyLegislator here. Call their Boston office, send an email, or swing by the State House. There’s no wrong door!

Amendments Filed to the FY26 SWM Budget