U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), joined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), has introduced the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025. The bill seeks to reverse recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enacted under what Democrats refer to as the "Republican Budget Betrayal." Companion legislation was also introduced in the House by Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.).
The proposed legislation aims to repeal reductions that, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, will remove $187 billion in food assistance over ten years. These cuts are expected to affect millions of Americans who rely on SNAP, including children, seniors, veterans, workers, and people with disabilities.
“For half a century, our nation has stood behind a bipartisan promise: that no child, no senior, no veteran, and no working family should go hungry. Republicans broke that promise and ripped meals away from millions of Americans in their Budget Betrayal,” said Senator Luján. “SNAP puts food on the table for 42 million people – including one in every five New Mexicans – yet the Trump administration spent the shutdown trying to block families from receiving food assistance and make it as difficult as possible to access their benefits. We have a responsibility to protect these families. That’s why I am leading Congressional Democrats in introducing legislation to fully repeal the Republican cuts to SNAP and ensure no American family goes hungry.”
Senator Schumer stated: “SNAP isn’t an abstract policy or a number in a spreadsheet, it’s food, dignity and survival for 42 million Americans. This summer, the Republican “Big, Ugly Bill” made the single largest cut to federal food assistance in our nation’s history. And during the Republican shutdown, the Trump administration weaponized hunger, blocking families from receiving SNAP benefits that Congress had already funding. Democrats are fighting back. Today, we introduced legislation to reverse these disastrous and deadly cuts and restore food security for millions of Americans. We will keep fighting until every family has the basic security and dignity of food on the table.”
Senator Klobuchar added: “From gutting SNAP in their Big Beautiful Betrayal of a bill to refusing to provide food assistance to families in need during the shutdown, this Administration has taken every opportunity to make it harder for Americans to put food on the table. With this legislation, we will keep fighting every step of the way to restore food assistance to families in need and ensure the 42 million Americans — including veterans, seniors and children — who count on SNAP don’t go to bed hungry.”
“Children, seniors, and low-income families will go hungry because of the Republican cuts to SNAP. This is yet another heartbreaking consequence of the Republican agenda to fund tax breaks for the ultrarich while working families struggle,” said Senator Merkley. “Under Trump, it is always the red carpet for billionaires and red tape for families. I’ll keep fighting to reverse these devastating cuts.”
Congresswoman Hayes commented: “At every opportunity, Republicans have chosen to target and decimate the programs that feed people. The Big Beautiful Bill implemented the largest cut to SNAP in history – putting the most vulnerable at higher risk of hunger,” she said. “Republicans have proven that cruelty is the point. During the government shutdown all of America watched as they once again chose to use hunger as a weapon and blocked emergency funding for SNAP – marking first ever lapse in funding. With Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act we can reverse damage caused by this legislation and restore nearly $200 billion eliminated from SNAP.”
Representative Angie Craig emphasized: “President Trump has spent his first year in office repeatedly attacking our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program at a time when his tariffs are contributing record food prices... His Big Ugly Bill cut SNAP – a basic needs food assistance program – by $187 billion taking food away from millions... I encourage my colleagues on both sides...to pass Restoring Food Security for American Families & Farmers Act.”
Nearly 1,500 organizations nationwide have expressed support through an open letter backing efforts against these cuts.
According data provided by supporters of this bill: Over 42 million Americans depend on SNAP; among them are 16 million children; eight million seniors; four million people with disabilities; one-point-two million veterans; more than 450 thousand New Mexicans—including about sixty-five thousand seniors—also rely on these benefits.
Earlier actions led by Senator Luján included legislative efforts during government shutdowns intended prevent withholding funds meant for nutrition programs such as WIC alongside attempts during budget debates aiming at reversing drastic reductions proposed under current law.
The measure is cosponsored by dozens Senate Democrats along with Independents Angus King (I-Maine) & Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Full text available via official channels.
