Congress Passes Trump Agenda Bill: $157B Defense Boost, SNAP Cuts for Veterans

In a significant week on Capitol Hill, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, providing a $157 billion increase in defense spending while cutting federal support for food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which many veterans and military families depend on. 

On Thursday, the House approved the bill with a vote of 218-214, strictly along party lines, after the Senate's close endorsement earlier in the week. The legislation is now on the desk of former President Donald Trump, awaiting his signature ahead of the self-imposed July 4 deadline.

The new legislation channels substantial funding into shipbuilding, munitions, and the proposed Golden Dome space-based missile defense system, while also designating $9 billion for enhancements in military quality of life, including barracks repairs, healthcare initiatives, housing allowances, and childcare assistance.

Nonetheless, the legislation reinstates work requirements for veterans receiving SNAP benefits and reallocates greater financial obligations to states. The vote has raised alarms among advocates against hunger, who caution that state budgets may become strained, leading to an increase in food insecurity for veterans and military families. About 1.2 million veterans are presently dependent on SNAP.

Veterans organizations condemned the bill’s reductions, labeling the reintroduced work requirements as “an unacceptable betrayal” of veterans dealing with distinct challenges such as service-related disabilities. Supporters of the measure argued that it reinstates job opportunities and maintains exemptions for individuals with disabilities.

The Pentagon expects the bill to pass, addressing funding shortfalls caused by the reallocation of resources to border operations. However, rifts appeared within the Republican Party, as certain defense advocates expressed dissatisfaction that the new funding would not augment but instead supplant current allocations.

Amidst challenging discussions, featuring decisive votes in the Senate and disagreements within the House GOP, Republican leaders managed to garner sufficient backing to forward the comprehensive bill to Trump, signifying a significant achievement in his initiative to alter federal priorities.

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