Senator Reverend Warnock’s new white paper, “SNAPing a Lifeline for Georgia’s Children and Families” exposes the hidden harm of Washington Republicans’ plan to pay for their tax cut to billionaires by shifting the cost of nutrition assistance to the states, ultimately making it harder for Georgia families to cover their grocery bill
The report finds that Georgia families would suffer the most under this GOP tax bill with a projected loss of over $860 million, disproportionately affecting Georgia’s rural communities. Over 77% of Georgia counties with the highest rates of families who rely on SNAP to buy nutritious food are rural
1 in 8 Georgians – or 1.4 million people, rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) throughout the state. SNAP helps vulnerable families supplement their budget by just $6.16 per day and lifts millions of Americans out of poverty each year
In 2023, stores and retailers in Georgia saw over $3.6 billion in revenue thanks to SNAP, helping local grocery stores keep their doors open
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released new findings on the harm Congressional GOP cuts from the nutrition assistance program would have on Georgians across the state, especially rural areas. The new white paper titled “SNAPing a Lifeline for Georgia’s Children and Families: How Washington Republicans Are Robbing Georgia’s Poor to Pay the Rich” finds that Georgia could be levied with a massive unfunded mandate of over $860 million dollars that risks nutrition benefits for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, devastating families and rural communities that rely on the program to help afford groceries.
The paper finds that rural communities stand to bear the brunt of these impacts. Over 77% of Georgia counties with the highest rates of SNAP participation are rural, and the economic impact of the proposed funding cuts to these communities would be staggering. By helping families spend their dollars locally, SNAP supports rural economies at a higher rate than many of their metro-Atlanta counterparts. Estimates show every dollar of federal investment in SNAP generates $1.79 in economic activity for local businesses. In 2023, stores and retailers in Georgia saw revenues of over $3.6 billion from SNAP benefits, helping local groceries keep their doors open.
“Washington Republicans’ plan to terminate funding for lifesaving programs that help working families cover the cost of groceries to pay for tax cuts for billionaires is not only immoral, it hurts our economy,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “This proposal is bad for Georgia. It’ll make it more likely that children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities go hungry. I will do everything in my power to protect these critical programs and help the many families across Georgia that are just trying to get by.”
With control of the House, Senate, and White House, Washington Republicans are rushing through a massive budget reconciliation bill that terminates funding for lifesaving programs like SNAP to pay for their tax cuts for billionaires. According to the House Republicans’ bill provisions advanced by the House Agriculture Committee on May 14, 2025, beginning in 2028, Washington Republicans would require all states to pay a 5% cost-share, shifting the burden from the federal government to the states. However, most states have higher payment error rates, like Georgia, and would have to pay even more.
If the bill becomes law, Georgia could be on the hook for $867 million in new costs on the state budget, leaving children, seniors, and disabled people more likely to be unable to afford groceries.
A full copy of the paper can be found HERE.
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