House Speaker Johnson Supported Major SNAP Cuts as Benefits Face Shutdown Uncertainty

House Speaker Mike Johnson indeed voted in favor of legislation that included a projected $186 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to congressional records and budget analyses. The Louisiana Republican backed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in July 2025, a measure that enacted the largest cuts to federal food assistance in the program’s history.

The cuts affecting SNAP, which provides food benefits to approximately 42 million Americans, have gained renewed attention amid the ongoing government shutdown and growing concerns that recipients might lose access to benefits in November.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the legislation Johnson supported will reduce SNAP funding by nearly $186 billion over a decade. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities characterized these as the “deepest SNAP cuts in history,” noting that an earlier version of the bill had proposed even steeper reductions of approximately $295 billion.

The bill passed the Senate on July 1 and cleared the House on July 3, with Johnson photographed giving a thumbs-up alongside Republican colleagues after signing the legislation. An analysis of the cuts revealed that about one-third would come from expanded work requirements that could force participants off the program, while another third would shift costs to states that administer SNAP benefits.

A final significant portion of the cuts stems from provisions capping annual inflation adjustments for food benefits, which will save the federal government tens of billions of dollars by 2034 while effectively reducing purchasing power for recipients.

The situation has taken on new urgency as the government shutdown threatens to halt SNAP benefits. On October 28, Politico reported that during a private call with House Republicans, Johnson acknowledged the gravity of the situation, reportedly stating: “The pain register is about to hit level 10,” and adding that “sadly” 42 million Americans would be affected when SNAP benefits run out of money. According to anonymous sources familiar with the call, Johnson said, “We deeply regret it on our side,” while criticizing Democrats for their tactics.

The impact of potential SNAP disruptions extends beyond recipients to retailers and local economies. Food retailers, especially in rural communities, stand to lose significant revenue if benefits are interrupted. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has previously described SNAP as “an important public-private partnership that helps families afford a basic diet, generates business for retailers and boosts local economies.”

Local news outlets across the country have reported on the growing strain at food banks and the potential economic ripple effects on grocery stores. In Oregon, food banks are already seeing empty shelves and increased demand as families anticipate disruptions to federal assistance.

Public opinion polls indicate Americans are increasingly concerned about the shutdown, with more respondents blaming Republicans and former President Trump than Democrats for the impasse, according to recent ABC News polling.

The SNAP program, which dates back to 1939 when it was known as the Food Stamp Program, has long served as a crucial safety net for low-income Americans. The current uncertainty has placed millions of vulnerable households in limbo as Washington struggles to resolve the funding standoff.

Johnson’s office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the SNAP cuts or the reported statements about regretting the impact of the shutdown on benefit recipients.