Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), led 35 of her colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune highlighting the negative consequences the disastrous One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will have on our nation’s veterans. Specifically, veterans who rely on the critical services provided by Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“If passed and signed into law as is, OBBBA will strip millions of Americans of their healthcare and food assistance, and veterans will be forced to contend with burdensome bureaucratic hurdles and red tape,” said the House members.
At least 1.2 million veterans live in a household that utilizes SNAP, and almost 1.6 million veterans are enrolled in Medicaid. Veterans face a higher rate of hunger and homelessness, and SNAP is part of their essential safety net. Medicaid bridges gaps in healthcare for low-income veterans and veterans with disabilities who have complex needs.
“Congress must do right by those who have served–whose bravery, dedication, and sacrifice have helped build, strengthen, and sustain our nation–by fairly compensating and caring for them. One of the ways we can honor them is to make sure they have the nutrition and healthcare they need to thrive,” added the lawmakers.
Additional signers on the letter are: Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jim Costa (CA-21), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adam Gray (CA-13), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Sarah McBride (DE), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Norma Torres (CA-35), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07).
Read the full letter here, or below:
June 23, 2025
The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Room S-230, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Leader Thune and Senate Republicans,
As the Senate considers H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), we urge you to consider the devastating consequences this legislation will have on our nation’s veterans, who rely on the critical services provided by Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If passed and signed into law as is, OBBBA will strip millions of Americans of their healthcare and food assistance, and veterans will be forced to contend with burdensome bureaucratic hurdles and red tape.
There are at least 1.2 million veterans living in a household that participates in SNAP and nearly 1.6 million veterans are enrolled in Medicaid.[1] Instead of prioritizing the President’s political agenda, which includes tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals, Congress should instead work to lower everyday costs for Americans. Through the addition of work requirements for both Medicaid and SNAP participants, and shifting responsibility to the states, veterans are at risk of losing access to the programs they count on.
Veterans have complex healthcare needs, and Medicaid plays a significant role in bridging gaps in care for low-income veterans and veterans with disabilities, including the coverage of mental health care and long-term services and support (LTSS).[2] While this legislation exempts those who receive Social Security Disability from the work requirements, and it exempts veterans whose disabilities the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has rated as “total,” it does not include similar protections for veterans who have disability ratings of less than 100 percent. If the Republican-led legislation passes in its current form, veterans may have trouble meeting the bill’s mandated work requirements, which do not account for the everyday realities of service-related physical and mental health challenges.[3]
Additionally, our country’s veteran population faces a higher risk of hunger and homelessness. Federal nutrition programs, like SNAP, serve as a safety net for veterans and their families to afford the high cost of groceries. With the current proposed reductions, it is estimated that veteran families enrolled in SNAP would lose about $219 per month in benefits.[4] OBBBA increases burdens on these families and will lead to higher rates of veteran food insecurity and homelessness.
Congress must do right by those who have served–whose bravery, dedication, and sacrifice have helped build, strengthen, and sustain our nation–by fairly compensating and caring for them. One of the ways we can honor them is to make sure they have the nutrition and healthcare they need to thrive. As the Senate considers the largest cut to Medicaid and SNAP in American history, we urge you to think of the consequences these cruel cuts will have on our nation’s veteran community. Think of the veterans in your state, who have defended our freedom, when the time comes to vote on this dangerous legislation.
[1] https://www.cbpp.org/charts/many-veterans-depend-on-medicaid-and-snap-0
[2] https://modernmedicaid.org/medicaid-cuts-threaten-veterans-health-care/
[3] https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/veterans
[4] Expanded SNAP Work Requirements Would Reduce Benefits for Millions of Families
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
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