GOP Budget Slammed for ‘Brutal Cuts’ to Food Aid as Lawmakers Refuse to Protect Veterans

 

A new Republican-backed budget proposal is sparking nationwide outrage as critics warn it would slash vital food assistance programs and leave U.S. veterans exposed to economic hardship.

Democrats and advocacy groups are sounding the alarm, accusing GOP lawmakers of pushing a fiscal plan that targets the most vulnerable, including families, seniors, and those who served in uniform.

“The GOP’s budget makes brutal cuts to food assistance,” said Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), a senior member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “And worst of all, our Republican colleagues refuse to shield veterans from their cruelty.”

The proposed bill seeks to reduce funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by billions over the next decade, potentially removing food access from millions of low-income Americans including tens of thousands of veterans.

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Veterans’ organizations were quick to condemn the budget, warning that many former service members rely on food aid due to physical disabilities, PTSD, or low-paying jobs after discharge.

“Veterans are not waste. They’re not fraud. And they’re not abuse,” said Mary Delgado, a spokesperson for the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. “This budget treats them like disposable burdens that’s unacceptable.”

In a fiery speech on the House floor, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine Corps combat veteran, called the proposal “an insult to every man and woman who wore the uniform and fought for this country.”

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While Republican leaders argue that the cuts are necessary to rein in federal spending and promote self-reliance, critics accuse them of using budget balancing as an excuse to gut social programs while protecting tax breaks for the wealthy.

As the battle intensifies on Capitol Hill, veteran-led protests are already being planned in several U.S. cities. The message from activists is clear: “Do not balance the budget on the backs of those who sacrificed for America.”