Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sharply criticized Republicans on Wednesday for introducing what he called “the largest cut to food assistance in American history.” His comments came during a Senate floor speech opposing the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill”—a GOP-led proposal that includes steep reductions to SNAP benefits.
According to Schumer, the Republican plan would eliminate up to $310 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, the nation’s largest and most effective anti-hunger initiative.
“Morally bankrupt,” Schumer says
“These cuts are heinous, callous, and cruel,” Schumer said during his floor remarks on May 15, 2025. “This bill would leave the average person on SNAP with just five dollars a day for food. That’s less than a dozen eggs in most grocery stores.”
He warned that the proposal would:
- Cut 6 million Americans off from food benefits entirely
- Reduce support for another 5 million recipients
- Leave 4 million children at risk of going to bed hungry
- Affect seniors, veterans, and working families across the country
“Tax cuts for billionaires, hunger for kids”
Schumer accused Republicans of redirecting the proposed savings to finance tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.
“They are literally stealing food away from hungry kids to finance tax breaks for billionaires,” he said. “A hungry child can’t learn. They grow up with limited opportunity. How is this a ‘beautiful’ plan?”
He also pushed back on Republican claims that the bill targets “fraud, waste, and abuse” in the system.
“If Republicans think a 7-year-old child is ‘waste’ or ‘fraud,’ they should say so,” Schumer added.
Largest proposed cut to food aid in U.S. history
The Democratic leader called the SNAP reductions “the biggest cut to food assistance ever” and warned they would have long-term consequences on poverty, education, public health, and economic productivity.
“It’s not just mean. It’s counterproductive,” he said. “States and families will bear the cost of this cruelty.”
The debate over SNAP funding is expected to intensify as Congress works to finalize the federal budget. Democrats are vowing to oppose any measure that would significantly weaken food assistance programs.
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