Speaker Johnson Speaks On SNAP Benefits
Washington, D.C. — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is taking a strong stand to protect taxpayer dollars, defending a new Republican-led plan to rein in waste and fraud in the food stamp system—officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In a Sunday interview on CBS’s Face the Nation, Johnson explained that the federal government currently covers 100% of SNAP costs, which, he argues, gives states no incentive to prevent fraud or fix errors.
“States don’t have enough skin in the game,” Johnson said. “When they share the cost, they’ll do a better job.”
The reform is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, a wide-reaching conservative legislative package that passed the House narrowly after an intense overnight session last Thursday. Under the bill, the federal share of SNAP costs would drop to 95% by 2028, with states covering more if they have high error rates.
Billions Wasted: Why Reform Matters
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), nearly 11.7% of SNAP payments were miscalculated in 2023, mostly due to errors by state agencies or recipient households. Some of the worst offenders included Alaska, New Jersey, and South Carolina.
Worse still, a nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that these improper payments cost American taxpayers $10.5 billion in a single year.
“That’s not just bureaucratic red tape,” Johnson warned. “That’s billions of your hard-earned dollars down the drain.”
Republicans Push Accountability, Not Cuts
Despite media spin, Johnson made it clear: “We are not cutting food stamps.” Instead, Republicans want more accountability, less government waste, and better protection of the federal budget.
“This is about restoring trust in the system, and making sure help goes to the people who actually need it—not scammers or careless bureaucrats,” Johnson said.
Why Seniors Should Pay Attention
For older Americans living on fixed incomes, this issue hits home. Every dollar wasted in Washington is a dollar that could help fund Medicare, Social Security, or lower taxes. Johnson’s reforms aim to preserve programs that matter to seniors—without punishing the vulnerable.
Bottom line: The Republican plan to reform SNAP isn’t about cutting benefits—it’s about cutting waste and putting Americans first. Speaker Johnson’s approach is a clear example of conservative leadership focused on common-sense solutions that protect taxpayers and promote accountability.
