House GOP Proposes $4.9T Tax Plan Cutting SNAP, Medicaid, Green Energy

House Republicans have introduced a massive tax and spending package dubbed "THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL," which includes extending Trump-era tax cuts and introducing new ones while proposing significant cuts to Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), and green energy programs. A key component is shifting part of the SNAP funding responsibility from the federal government to the states, requiring states to pay at least 5% of benefits costs starting in 2028, with higher shares for states with elevated error rates, potentially burdening lower-income states disproportionately. The bill also expands SNAP work requirements by raising the age limit from 54 to 64 and tightening exemptions, aiming to push more able-bodied adults toward employment. Critics warn these changes could remove millions of low-income families from the program, worsening food insecurity, while Republican leaders argue the reforms will reduce waste and promote accountability. Regional leaders and advocacy groups, such as Senator Peter Welch and Hunger Free Vermont, have voiced strong opposition, highlighting the risk to millions currently reliant on SNAP benefits. The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to partially offset the $5 trillion cost of permanent tax cuts in the package, sparking intense debate over the nation's budget priorities and social safety net.