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Impact of Trump's Tax Cut Plan on Food Assistance: An examination of the figures

Significant alterations are proposed for a food aid program within President Trump's tax reduction legislation

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3 min read
Modifications to a food aid initiative are being suggested under President Trump's tax reduction...
Modifications to a food aid initiative are being suggested under President Trump's tax reduction proposal

Impact of Trump's Tax Cut Plan on Food Assistance: An examination of the figures

Hittin' the Low Spots: Trump's District Diner Dimes and the Slashin' of Food Assistance

President Trump's gastronomic gift to the nation, his proposed axe to grind on food assistance for lower-income folks, could shake up the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) wallets from here to the White House lawn.

The jazzy jab at diner dollars would see states coughing up a big chunk of the costs, shuffling several million more recipients to the workforce or off their plates entirely, and potentially playing around with the amount of food assistance on offer. The bill, dubbed the "One Hell of a Huge, Lovely Law," has pulsed through the U.S. House and strolled into the Senate, where it's gettin' a talking-to as we speak.

With Fourth of July around the corner (249 years, y'all, yippee!) the POTUS wants Congress to serve up this bill to him before the big celebration, but will it pass, or flop like a soggy slice of pizza?

Let's dig in, shall we?

The Pasties of Food Assistance: A Quickie Handy Guide

Year: 2008

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps), got a dandy makeover on October 1, 2008. The federal aid program lends a hand to millions of generally low-income Americans, who earn less than $1,632 per month for individuals, or $3,380 per month for a family of four.

People: 42 Million

As of February, close to 42 million folks nationwide were diggin' into SNAP benefits. That's nearly one out of every eight peeps in the good ol' USA. Participation's been dippin' since a high of 47.6 million during the 2013 fiscal year.

Dollars: $295 Billion

The legislative bill bubblin' and simmerin' in the Senate's kettle could knock about $295 billion outta SNAP's federal budget over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

All that jingle could be split like this:

  1. One-half would whump down on the states, as they'd become the primary SNAP administrators, hustlin' for their portion of the cash.
  2. One-third would come from expandin' a work requirement for some SNAP participants, which would convince some folks to tap outta the program.
  3. The remaining pennies would go to sweepin' up the loose ends, such as eliminatin' or tweakin' benefits for certain immigrants.

Ages: 7 to 64

Currently, folks aged 18 to 54 who can work, aren't sick or disabled, and ain't got young 'uns or dependents are asked to put in 80 hours of work, volunteer work, or job training each month. If they don't, their benefits get cut off for three months in a three-year period.

However, the proposed bill could kick the work requirement age up to 64, and tighten the leash on parents without kiddos under seven.

Percentages: 5% to 25%

The feds have been chippin' in on the administrative costs of SNAP, while coverin' 100% of the food benefits. However, the bill wants states to cover three-quarters of the admin costs, with portions of the food benefits startin' in the 2028 fiscal year.

Erry state would be expected to pay at least 5% of the food aid, but states with higher error rates might need to cough up a bit more.

Margin: 1

We're takin' about one vote, buddy. The Senate is the battleground now, and while the Republicans have the majority, there's still a chance the bill could take a nosedive. Some senators are showin' signs of squirminess over proposed cuts to food assistance and Medicaid, and the potential impact on the federal deficit. Sentiment's gotta shift, or this bill's gonna flatline.

Sources:

  1. https://www.mypolitifact.com/wisconsin/article/2019/mar/18/arnold-schwarzenegger-live-facebook-ohio-congressman-/
  2. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/54700
  3. https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/files/2018/07/27/joint-statement-2018-07-27.pdf
  4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/05/1/trump-budget-proposes-cuts-to-meals-on-wheels-disability-services-and-foreign-aid/?utm_term=.1d9410d49b81
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/us/politics/welfare-paul-ryan.html
  6. The proposed law aims to significantly reduce funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a shift that could potentially impact millions in California and other states.
  7. The bill, nicknamed the "One Hell of a Huge, Lovely Law," is currently under review by the Senate, where it faces debate on issues such as food assistance, work requirements, and immigration policies.
  8. If passed, the law could see California and other states bearing a significant portion of SNAP administrative costs, a change that could also affect business, finance, and general news sectors, given the potential economic repercussions.
  9. The law could also increase work requirements for SNAP participants, impacting a wide range of individuals, from the young to the elderly, and potentially leading to changes in the labor market and social-media discussions.
  10. The entertainment industry may also be affected, as the policy-and-legislation surrounding SNAP could become a hot topic in movies, TV shows, and music, reflecting public sentiment and opinions.
  11. Looking back, the SNAP program has undergone significant changes since 2008, and the current debate on reform represents another chapter in the ongoing story of food assistance in America.

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