'He kicked them off': Rep. Jim McGovern fires back at Trump's claim of lifting millions off SNAP

One of the key agendas of President Donald Trump's administration in his second term has been to modify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps millions of low-income Americans purchase food. The program has been through a roller coaster over the past year, with the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) introducing sweeping changes to the eligibility criteria and restrictions on the program. As a result, more families dependent on food stamps have found it harder to make ends meet. But, President Trump has repeatedly counted the changes as a victory, claiming millions have been lifted off of food stamps by his administration. Pushing back on the claim, Rep. Jim McGovern recently called the President a "crock," alleging that his policies didn't lift anyone; instead, he "kicked them off." 

During his record-setting State of the Union speech, President Trump claimed that his administration had lifted 2.4 million people off of food stamps by cutting a record number of job-killing regulations. More recently, speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Florida, he revised the number to 3.3 million. "In 14 months, we've lifted 3.3 million Americans off of food stamps. That’s a record," Trump said while addressing the press. Sharing a clip of the President making the claim, Rep. McGovern accused Trump of kicking millions out of the nutrition assistance program instead of doing what actually needs to be done to lift people. "Pay them more. Lower their grocery bills. Give them healthcare. Increase their social security. Provide their kids with school meals. Instead, Trump kicks them while they’re down," McGovern wrote in his post.

Trump's signature OBBBA expanded work requirements for SNAP, forcing people aged between 55 and 64, who were previously exempt, to meet the criteria to keep receiving the benefits. Furthermore, caregivers of children aged 14 and younger, veterans, the homeless, and people aged 24 and younger who are transitioning out of foster care must prove 80 hours of work per month to qualify for the benefits. Thus, with tighter restrictions that went into effect earlier this year, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that participation in SNAP would be reduced by 2.4 million people in an average month over the next year. 

Furthermore, the Trump administration granted 22 states special waivers to restrict what products low-income families can buy with their SNAP benefits in an effort to "put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health,” as per the statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Out of the 22, four states, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and West Virginia, are set to crack down on sweetened beverages, candy, and some processed food starting in April. The HHS claimed that the move is an important step toward solving the country's chronic disease crisis. However, in response to the crackdown, recipients of food assistance in Texas have sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They alleged that the new restriction would deprive some beneficiaries of the items they need "to maintain their health and employment," as per the lawsuit.