Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator from Minnesota | Twitter
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, representing Minnesota and serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, has raised concerns over a new bill proposed by Republicans titled "Big Beautiful Betrayal." The bill mandates that states cover part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and contribute more to program administration costs. This change is expected to shift billions in expenses onto state and local governments.
The financial burden imposed by this bill could force states to either reduce food assistance or cut funding for other essential services such as public safety, education, or infrastructure. All 23 Democratic Governors have expressed opposition to this proposal. Recently, four Governors joined Klobuchar in condemning these unfunded mandates.
Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska was the sole Republican senator who aligned with all 47 Senate Democrats in supporting Klobuchar's Point of Order against the measure.
In her statement, Klobuchar said: "Mr. President, I make a Point of Order that the pending measure contains an unfunded intergovernmental mandate, and thus it violates section 425(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974."
She highlighted that "in nutrition assistance alone," tens of billions would be shifted to states under this bill, potentially causing chaos for state budgets and hardship for families. According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score mentioned by Klobuchar, "the non-tax provisions of the substitute amendment would impose intergovernmental and private sector mandates," with SNAP cost shift provisions being described as imposing "the largest intergovernmental mandate."
Klobuchar emphasized that this shift primarily affects vulnerable groups: "Seriously, the largest shift in this whole bill...is on the backs of kids and veterans and seniors, and people with disabilities." She pointed out that $64 billion would be transferred to states, many of which are unable to absorb such costs due to balanced budget amendments.
She concluded her remarks by stating: "It's hurting local grocery stores. It's hurting our farmers...vote for families over billionaires. Vote for fiscal sanity over this big beautiful betrayal."
