Republicans Jostle for Power to Oversee Cuts to Nutrition Aid

Cutting nutrition assistance by tens of billions of dollars and allowing fewer work-requirement waivers is a top priority for a key conservative in charge of funding the Department of Agriculture. It’s a goal that could cause tension among Republicans crafting must-pass funding and authorization bills.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the new chairman of the House Appropriations Agriculture-FDA Subcommittee, plans to reduce funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program this year, he said in an interview with Bloomberg Government. The program’s funding spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic, a trend Harris aims to reverse.

Removing states’ ability to waive work requirements is ...