Trump Food Stamp Cuts: Administration Seeks To Cut 3.1 Million People From SNAP

The Trump administration has proposed a rule that could cut off over 3 million Americans from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue reportedly wants to limit broad-based eligibility for the program. In over 40 states, individuals who qualify for welfare assistance under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are also eligible to receive SNAP benefits, which refers to "broad-based eligibility."

Perdue believes if they close this loophole it would save the federal government $2.5 billion a year in food stamp spending.

"For too long, this loophole has been used to effectively bypass important eligibility guidelines," Purdue said Tuesday.

Democrats and those advocating for a strong public safety net are expected to fight the proposal. The progressive Center on Budget Policy Priorities think tank has argued that the program promotes health and well-being among America's poor and that SNAP caseloads have decreased as the U.S. has risen out of the 2008 Great Recession.

The Trump administration has made other attempts to reform food stamps, arguing that the relative strength of the economy should push more people towards jobs instead of government assistance. Republicans have also tried to enact reforms that would strengthen food stamp work requirements.

Able-bodied adults who receive SNAP who don't have any dependents are required to work at least 20 hours a week to receive the benefits, which average $126.39 a month as of April 2018.

As of 2017, there are 42 million Americans living below the poverty line who rely on the SNAP program.