Grassley says GOP continues to examine SNAP cost shift after it’s determined proposal violates Senate rules

WASHINGTON — Republicans over the weekend suffered another blow to their tax and spending cut bill as the Senate parliamentarian has advised that a proposal to shift some food stamps costs from the federal government to the states would violate Senate rules. The parliamentarian’s office is tasked with scrutinizing bills to ensure they comply with the so-called Byrd Rule, named after the late Senator Robert Byrd, and bars many policy matters in the budget reconciliation process now being used.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says Republicans will continue to examine the financials of the SNAP program. “I think there’s still going to be attempts to look at alternative ways to craft some form of state cost share that complies with the Byrd Rule, so this might not be over yet. Hopefully it’s not. In the meantime, we’re looking for other savings to pay for a stronger farm safety net like higher support for crop insurance.”

Grassley continues to call for tightening farm payment limits.   “Get rid of the proposal to increase payment limits from $125,000 to $155,000, would reduce unnecessary costs in the bill. We can also increase savings by closing the actively engaged loophole that allows Wall Street bankers to cash government checks meant for farmers with dirt under their fingernails. Now taking these steps doesn’t entirely fill a savings gap, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” was approved on a party-line vote last month and now is undergoing revisions before being brought to the Senate floor.