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Increasing hunger in America to give billionaires tax cuts

Photo credit: Getty Images/LordHenriVoton
Increasing hunger in America to give billionaires tax cuts
By AFSMCE Staff ·
Tags: Priorities Economic Security Federal Budget & Taxes State & Local Budgets

AFSCME members like Sheryl Feducia and Stacy Smith make sure vulnerable people in their communities get enough to eat.

They are two of the thousands of AFSCME members who help families access food stamps. But the food stamp program is no longer called that. It’s now called SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Sheryl Feducia
Stacy Smith
Eligibility Specialist, Connecticut’s Department of Social Services
Eligibility Technician, Rhode Island’s Department of Human Resources

 

But SNAP is under threat like never before.

A budget bill that anti-union extremists in the House of Representatives are pushing would gut SNAP by $300 billion.

That’s not all. In addition to destroying SNAP, this cruel bill will cut hundreds of billions of dollars out of Medicaid, destroy public services and hurt all the people we serve.

All this just so billionaires can enjoy more tax cuts.

Here’s a guide to help you understand what SNAP is and what’s at stake.

What is SNAP?

SNAP is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with states and counties. It’s meant to help low-income families access food. The federal government now covers 100% of the cost of the assistance itself and half the cost of administering SNAP. States pay the other half to run the program.  

SNAP helped feed more than 41 million Americans in 2024. That’s about one in every eight people in the country, including one in five kids. SNAP is also a lifesaver for many older Americans who are struggling to get by.  

The average monthly SNAP benefit for a one-person household is $199 this year. For a family of four, the average comes out to $726. Go here for more information. 

41 mil. Americans

were fed by SNAP in 2024
1 in 5 kids

were fed by SNAP in 2024

Why Is SNAP in danger? 

The budget bill includes “historic, devastating cuts” to SNAP. States would have to pick up a lot of the funding for SNAP — 25% of the cost of food assistance (up from 0% now) and 75% of the cost of administering SNAP (up from 50%).  

The result would be massive hits to state budgets. Many states will simply cut back on SNAP benefits. This would force millions of people to go hungry.  

Some grocery stores could close. One study found that 27,000 stores in 303 counties nationwide would be out of business. Some stores, especially in low-income neighborhoods, make half their money by selling to customers who are on SNAP.  

SNAP also helps the U.S. economy. So cutting it would hurt jobs. SNAP funding supports about 388,000 jobs. It generates over $20 billion in direct wages and more than $4.5 billion in federal and state tax revenue.

 

“Historic, devastating cuts”

— The Food Research & Action Center

Image
388,000 jobs

are supported by SNAP funding
$20 bil.

of direct wages are generated by SNAP
$4.5 bil.

in federal and state tax revenue is generated by SNAP

Who else would be affected by these cuts?

Everyone.  

Federal cuts to SNAP, along with cuts to other important programs like Medicaid, will force states to bear more of the financial burden of providing nutrition and health benefits to their residents. 

The federal cuts are so big, many states will be forced to cut these programs. They will also likely cut other services to find money to protect some of the nutrition and health benefits. Schools, roads and other infrastructure, and public transportation will likely all face serious cuts if this budget bill becomes law. 

Let’s not forget why working families will be made to suffer. All of this is just to put more money into the hands of America’s wealthiest people and corporations. 

AFSCME and SNAP

Thousands of AFSCME members in 17 states and Puerto Rico work to help families access SNAP benefits.  

AFSCME members are crucial to making sure the assistance goes to those who need it.

And their jobs often depend on administrative funding for SNAP. 

What can we do?

Contact your members of Congress and tell them to oppose cuts to vital programs like SNAP to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.  

To learn more and stay involved, join AFSCME Go at afscmego.org.

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