Minneapolis Review

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has raised concerns over the SNAP cuts in the Republicans' "Big Beautiful Betrayal" bill, which mandates states to cover a portion of SNAP benefits and additional program administration costs. This shift could force state and local governments to reduce food assistance or cut funding for other essential services such as public safety, education, or infrastructure.

All 23 Democratic Governors have expressed opposition to this proposal. Recently, four Governors joined Klobuchar in criticizing these unfunded mandates. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) supported all 47 Senate Democrats by voting for Klobuchar's Point of Order.

Klobuchar argued that the bill imposes an unfunded intergovernmental mandate violating section 425(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. She stated that "the non-tax provisions of the substitute amendment would impose intergovernmental and private sector mandates," with the SNAP cost shift representing "the largest intergovernmental mandate."

She emphasized that $64 billion would be shifted onto states, affecting children, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. With 44 states having balanced budget amendments, she noted their inability to absorb these costs without repercussions.

Klobuchar urged her colleagues to prioritize families over tax cuts for the wealthy and support fiscal responsibility by voting against what she termed as an unfunded mandate.