Maryland Hunger Solutions Condemns House Passage of Budget Bill That Threatens Families and Communities

MDHS HomeNewsroomNews ReleasesMaryland Hunger Solutions Condemns House Passage of Budget Bill That Threatens Families and Communities

Media Contact:

Colleen Barton
cbarton@frac.org
703-203-7843

Statement attributable to LaMonika Jones, director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 8, 2025 – Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill (218–214), which strips away vital food assistance from millions of people across the country, including nearly 700,000 Marylanders who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table. The bill was signed into law by President Trump on July 4.

The damage of this bill will be staggering. Multiple data sources have highlighted how the majority of SNAP recipients – working families with children, older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities — will lose access to the nutrition they need for their health and well-being. Already, 10 percent of households in Maryland experience food insecurity, and that number is likely to rise along with health care costs.

The bill also shifts funding responsibilities to states starting in 2028, including direct coverage of food benefits and increased administrative costs. Based on fiscal year (FY) 2024 data, Maryland could qualify for a one-time delay of SNAP cost-sharing implementation until FY 2030 due to its high error rate, if similar levels persist in FY 2025 or FY 2026; and while states with high error rates may be eligible for delays, states, including Maryland, are facing systemic challenges like understaffing and a lack of resources.

Since Maryland’s budget already is stretched thin following a difficult legislative session to address a $3.3 billion budget deficit, we are likely to see higher taxes but with fewer services. The negative ripple effect could result in students losing access to school meals and Summer EBT, both of which are critical to their health and learning.

Following the reinstatement of able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) work requirements statewide on July 1, 2025, families across Maryland will be impacted the most as the budget reconciliation bill imposes even harsher SNAP work requirements for individuals by decreasing the age of dependents to children under 14 years old and increasing the age limit for able-bodied working adults from 54 to 64 years old.

Maryland’s economy will also suffer. In fiscal year 2024, SNAP brought $1,498,978,722 to the state. Cuts to SNAP will harm farmers and food retailers and our overall state economy.

This legislation prioritizes tax breaks for billionaires at the expense of Maryland families. It undermines our progress toward ending hunger, increasing health equity, and creating thriving communities.

Maryland Hunger Solutions calls on state leaders, community advocates, and residents to mobilize in response. This is not a moment to stand down. It’s a moment to act. We will fight back — and we will keep pushing for policies that protect Marylanders from hunger and uphold their dignity.

If residents are struggling with food access, there are several resources available:

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About Maryland Hunger Solutions
Maryland Hunger Solutions, an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of Maryland residents.