The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture moved to mark up legislation to reauthorize the farm bill, which includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) and other nutrition initiatives. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a public statement opposing the version of the bill under consideration, arguing it would make access to healthy food harder for many families rather than strengthen food assistance.
The AHA framed its response around the timing of legislative action and the immediate effects on communities already experiencing reduced access to SNAP benefits. The organization characterized the bill as ignoring ongoing hardship in communities nationwide and said it risks pushing additional families into food and nutrition insecurity.
The AHA highlighted preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing that SNAP participation dropped by more than 4.5 million people, an 11 percent decline, between July 2025 and April 2026. The Association emphasized these figures represent real individuals and families—many of them children—who no longer receive the food assistance they had been relying on.
The AHA warned that the consequences of those cuts are no longer theoretical and that rather than addressing the loss of benefits, the farm bill under consideration would move policy in the wrong direction.
A central concern raised by the AHA is that the bill shifts financial obligations onto states in ways the organization considers unsustainable. When states are required to absorb new or increased costs tied to SNAP administration or eligibility, the AHA said, the result can be reduced access for families as states grapple with budgetary pressures.
The Association stated that no one should lose access to healthy food because their state cannot meet newly imposed fiscal demands. At a time when many families already find healthy food unaffordable, the AHA argued Congress should prioritize restoring and strengthening food assistance rather than adding barriers or transferring new costs to state governments.
The AHA framed nutrition security as a critical driver of health. In its statement, the organization linked SNAP participation to the ability of families to afford nutritious food, supported healthy development in children, improved health outcomes and stronger local economies.
The AHA argued that consistent access to healthy food makes communities healthier and more resilient, and that weakening food assistance undermines those public health and economic benefits. The Association called for program changes that modernize and expand access so eligible individuals can reliably obtain nutritious foods.
The American Heart Association urged members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to vote “no” on the farm bill being considered and to reject any final legislation that fails to restore the SNAP cuts enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The AHA specifically recommended that Congress focus on policies that:
The AHA’s public appeal framed these steps as necessary to protect the health and well-being of people in every community.
The statement included two AHA resources for further information: the AHA Farm Bill Policy Statement and the AHA Farm Bill Fact Sheet. These resources were provided as context for the Association’s position on farm bill provisions affecting access to healthy food and nutrition incentives.
For media inquiries the AHA listed a contact, and public inquiries were directed to the AHA main phone line. The AHA also provided links to its websites for more information on its positions and materials related to the farm bill and nutrition access.
The AHA described itself as an organization dedicated to longer, healthier lives and equitable health in all communities. The Association noted its longstanding role as a source of health information, its global volunteer base, and its work in funding research, advocating for public health, and providing resources to improve care and outcomes for people affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The AHA positioned its farm bill statement within that broader mission, framing protection and expansion of nutrition programs as consistent with efforts to advance public health, prevent disease and support community resilience.