Democrats Decry Medicaid, SNAP Cuts in Senate Budget Vote

President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," recently passed by the Senate with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Vance, includes significant cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and funding for rural hospitals, prompting strong opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, criticized the bill for providing tax cuts to the wealthy while reducing healthcare and nutrition support for vulnerable populations, though all their proposed amendments to mitigate these cuts were defeated. Critics warn that the bill's provisions will cause millions to lose health coverage and worsen food insecurity, especially affecting working poor families, rural communities, and states like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, where funding for SNAP administration and caseworkers is already strained. State Senator Steve Santarsiero highlighted the bill's likely impact on SNAP in Pennsylvania, emphasizing that the program supports working poor families and that cuts will lead to increased hunger. Meanwhile, anti-hunger advocates in Massachusetts caution that the state budget, which omits additional funding for SNAP caseworkers, will exacerbate the challenges faced by residents relying on food assistance. Despite calls for bipartisan opposition, many Republicans have supported the bill, raising concerns about its long-term economic and social effects.