Arizona lawmakers are sounding the alarm over a controversial Republican-backed proposal that would slash Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, warning it could leave hundreds of thousands of Arizonans—especially children, seniors, veterans, and working families—without access to basic nutrition.
Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), condemned the House-passed plan, which would force Arizona to shoulder over $500 million annually in SNAP costs. They argue the move prioritizes tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
“This plan raises costs and takes food away from the people who need it most—kids who rely on school meals, parents trying to stretch every dollar, and seniors choosing between groceries and medicine,” said Sen. Kelly. “Cutting that support just to give rich people another tax break is cruel, and we’re going to fight to stop it in the Senate.”
Rep. Gallego echoed the concern: “Instead of fighting to lower the cost of groceries like they promised, House Republicans just voted to make it harder for thousands of hardworking Arizona families to put food on the table. This is a reverse Robin Hood—taking from kids, seniors, and people with disabilities to give to billionaires. We won’t let them get away with it.”
Rep. Stanton added, “House Republicans just voted to rip food away from Arizona kids, seniors, and veterans—so they can hand more tax breaks to the billionaires bankrolling their campaigns. It’s disgraceful, and we’re going to do everything we can to stop Senate Republicans from pushing this deficit-busting scam on Arizona families.”
What’s at Stake
More than 920,000 Arizonans currently rely on SNAP to afford basic groceries. Over 70% of recipients are children, older adults, or individuals with disabilities. The GOP plan would require states to cover 25% of SNAP benefit costs and 75% of administrative expenses—something Arizona officials say the state is unprepared to absorb.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- $290 billion in SNAP cuts nationwide.
- Increased work requirements, raising the age limit from 54 to 64 and narrowing exemptions.
- Restrictions on waivers that help rural residents with limited transportation and internet access meet work requirements.
- Caps on future SNAP increases and elimination of key eligibility deductions.
With the proposal now heading to the Senate, Arizona Democrats have pledged to block what they describe as an "unjust" shift in federal priorities—one that, if enacted, could deepen food insecurity across the state.
