House Republicans Meet to Continue Planning Legislative Package with Potentially Massive Cuts to Anti-Poverty Programs

House Republicans met on January 22 to continue a conversation about a large bill that would extend expiring tax cuts while also making potentially massive cuts to anti-poverty programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP better known as “food stamps”). These programs help people with low incomes access medical care and afford the cost of food, and states can also use Medicaid to cover health-related social needs, including housing.  

While no final decisions were made, Republicans are expected to meet again this week during a policy retreat in Florida to continue discussing the details of the package. A memo from the House Budget Committee outlines a “menu of options” detailing up to $5 trillion in cuts to federal programs that could be enacted through a reconciliation bill. Reconciliation is a legislative process that speeds up the timeline for enacting bills by limiting debate time and skirting the Senate’s filibuster rule, allowing bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than the 60 votes usually required. With Republicans holding control of the House, Senate, and White House, using reconciliation will allow Republicans to pass bills without any bipartisan support.  

While housing assistance has not been named as a potential target for cuts, the anti-poverty programs being considered play a crucial role in economic stability for people and families with low incomes, helping them put food on the table and receive needed medical care. The financial assistance these programs provide also promotes housing stability: by helping families afford the cost of food and other necessities, more money is left over at the end of the month to ensure rent is paid.  

Republicans in the House are aiming to put together an outline of the reconciliation package in early February, and to pass the bill out of both the House and Senate before the end of February. NLIHC will continue working with our partners to monitor and oppose any reconciliation proposal that would cut funding for these vital anti-poverty programs.