WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A major political battle is brewing on Capitol Hill as House Republicans push for sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food assistance program. The proposed plan includes $230 billion in cuts over the next decade, along with stricter work requirements and increased oversight by states.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is leading the charge for reform, arguing that the government must rein in spending and eliminate waste in large federal programs like SNAP.

“We have to be better and smarter and more intentional about how we’re spending that money,” Rollins said. “We’re trying to right-size the government to rip the corruption and the waste out of these massive programs like SNAP.”

The proposal would also require states to turn over detailed records on how SNAP benefits are distributed. 

“President Trump is rightfully requiring the federal government to have access to all programs it funds,” said Secretary Rollins, “and SNAP is no exception. For years, this program has been on autopilot, with no USDA insight into real-time data. The Department is focused on appropriate and lawful participation in SNAP, and today’s request is one of many steps to ensure SNAP is preserved for only those eligible,” Rollins said. 

“We’re going to make sure that every dollar, every taxpayer dollar that is spent, is spent wisely with the intended purpose,” she added.

The plan is facing strong pushback from Democrats, who warn the cuts could devastate low-income families and vulnerable communities that rely on SNAP to feed their children.

“These are people. These are families. These are meals,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.). “No Democrat supports any kind of waste. All of us want our federal programs to be as efficient and effective as possible. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of leaving families hungry.”

Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio.) says the impact in her state would be especially severe. “In my district in Ohio, 1 in 5 households rely on SNAP, including 1 in 3 Black households,” she added.

So far, the proposed cuts have not been drafted into a formal bill. However, the debate is expected to intensify as lawmakers move deeper into budget negotiations. The White House, meanwhile, has signaled that it will not support any policy that results in children going hungry.