6 days ago
SNAP, Medicaid and tax deductions on the line in Senate bill
A Trump-backed spending plan could end health insurance coverage for millions of Americans and drastically cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.
Why it matters: President Trump has called the legislation a " big, beautiful bill" but Feeding Texas, which represents 20 food banks in the state, says the bill would enact the "most sweeping rollback" of SNAP in U.S. history.
The big picture: The latest version of the bill, which narrowly passed the Senate this week, would slash food and health benefits for the poorest Americans, while giving tax cuts to higher earners.
"It's a great bill. There is something for everyone," Trump said Tuesday.
The upshot: The bill would temporarily increase the cap on state and local tax deductions for federal tax returns to roughly $40,000 annually.
Around 12% of Texas properties are taxed over $10,000, the current deduction limit.
Yes, but: The bill would also reduce nutrition funding, which includes SNAP, by $186 billion between 2025 and 2034.
Nearly 12 million people are projected to lose health insurance under the bill's proposed Medicaid changes.
The bill would also cut funding for energy and natural resources while allocating $175 billion for border security and $150 billion for defense.
Zoom in: Texas may have to pay an additional $806 million annually on administrative costs and food benefits if the cuts are enacted, per Feeding Texas.
"The consequences would be profound and devastating," Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said in a statement.
Friction point: The bill has received intense opposition across party lines.
What's next: The House and the Senate will need to agree on a unified bill to send to the president.
