Schumer Challenges Farm Bill Over New SNAP Cost Shifts

Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump, are shifting significant costs of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the federal government to state and local authorities. Starting October 1, the federal share of SNAP administrative costs will drop from 50% to 25%. Additionally, states with payment error rates above 6% must now pay a percentage of benefit costs, potentially costing New York $1 billion and Minnesota $250 million over two years.

Chuck Schumer is calling for a two-year delay in these implementations, asserting that the changes are driven by politics. He has stated he will not support a federal farm bill that does not address these cuts, noting that local counties like Wyoming County may be forced to raise taxes or cut food assistance. Representative Nick Langworthy criticized this approach, arguing that delaying the farm bill would harm farmers in Western New York and the Southern Tier.

Local officials report that the funding shift and expanded work requirements are already causing disruptions. The New York State Association of Counties estimates Erie County will need over $6 million in additional funds. In Minnesota, at least 18,000 residents have lost benefits since the law's enactment. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended the measures, stating that high payment error rates prove state accountability is severely lacking.