Sec. Rollins defends the proposed SNAP cuts

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is defending proposed cost-sharing measures. During her more than four hours of testimony before the House Ag Committee yesterday, she said the SNAP program costs hundreds of millions of dollars each day. However, one California lawmaker took issue with the Department’s assessment of those state error rates.

“We spend at the USDA across 16 nutrition programs about $400 million a day on those nutrition programs. That’s just alone by any given number, up to 30% of that is fraud, waste, and abuse. At this time of unemployment, we were 17 million; we’re now at 42 million of people on the SNAP program. So, there is a lot of room to do better, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Error rates among states have been an issue, though. During the Biden Administration, officials said that during 2023, the overpayment rate came in at just over 10 percent for the year. Error rates varied by state, with Alaska coming in the highest at 60 percent. Some states, like South Dakota, had overpayments as low as three percent.

Related Stories
Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt joins us to discuss House passage of the Farm Bill, its potential impact on farm profitability and stability, key policy compromises, and the outlook for Senate consideration.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans a farm visit in Missouri, hinting at a possible fertilizer relief announcement on RFD-TV earlier this week. USDA also restructures its research infrastructure and launches new food-safety centers.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hints at new fertilizer plan while trade deals, soybean markets, and farm bill momentum drive ag policy discussion.
A prolonged Iran ceasefire offers limited relief as fertilizer concerns persist, prompting U.S. policy shifts and driving farmers to reconsider crop acreage.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins joined us to discuss fertilizer markets, domestic supply efforts, trade priorities, and ongoing policy work aimed at stabilizing costs for U.S. farmers.
As budget hearings continue on Capitol Hill, policymakers focus on long-term solutions to stabilize the fertilizer market to support U.S. farmers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The National Farm Machinery Show is underway in Louisville, Kentucky, bringing together the latest in agricultural equipment, technology, and innovation. Here are some highlights from the trade show floor so far!
Ag Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson has referred to the proposal as “Farm Bill 2.0.”
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney talks about the U.S. House’s latest vote to roll back tariffs on Canada and the ongoing discussions surrounding North American trade.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen discusses the EPA’s rescission of the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases and what it could mean for agriculture and rural America.
Chef and influencer Marcia Smart joined us to discuss Italian-inspired beef dishes, nutrition for active lifestyles, and how global events shape home cooking.