Millions Could Lose Food Aid as Congress Pushes Drastic Cuts in New Bill

In one of the most consequential legislative moves this year, the U.S. House narrowly passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping proposal that threatens to reshape federal aid, slash nutrition programs, and raise eyebrows across the political spectrum. With just a single vote margin—215 to 214—this bill now awaits further scrutiny in the Senate. But for millions of Americans relying on SNAP, Medicaid, and clean energy incentives, the clock is ticking.

At the heart of the debate is a proposed $318.7 billion cut to SNAP over the next decade, paired with increased work requirements for struggling families. Parents of children as young as seven could be forced to meet 20-hour weekly work thresholds just to keep food on the table. Critics argue this could disrupt school meal access and strip automatic eligibility for thousands of low-income students.

Former President Barack Obama joined the chorus of opposition, warning that the bill risks stripping healthcare and nutritional lifelines from vulnerable populations. “This bill takes from the poor to give tax cuts to the rich,” echoed Rep. Lizzie Fletcher.

Meanwhile, SNAP restrictions are already becoming reality. In a historic shift, Nebraska has gained USDA approval to ban soda and energy drink purchases using food stamps. Set to take effect in 2026, this policy will impact over 150,000 recipients in the state. While Nebraska officials and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins say it’s a move to “Make America Healthy Again,” critics worry it’s a slippery slope toward food-shaming and limiting choice for low-income households.

In global news, Brazil is grappling with its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a commercial poultry farm. With Brazil supplying more than 35% of the world’s chicken exports, the outbreak could send shockwaves through international trade. Over 17,000 birds have been culled, and major importers like China and the EU are putting up trade barriers. Health officials caution the risk to humans remains low, but vigilance is high as the virus spreads globally.

Adding to environmental unease, scientists warn that Earth could once again exceed the critical 1.5°C warming threshold—a key climate benchmark set by the Paris Agreement. New data shows 21 of the past 22 months have already crossed this mark. If global averages stay elevated for another full year, experts fear irreversible climate damage could escalate, triggering events like coral reef collapse and ocean circulation shifts.

On a hopeful note, Lagos, Nigeria, is taking steps toward long-term food security with its new Aquaculture Centre for Excellence. The 35-hectare site will support local fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and is projected to generate over 1,000 jobs. With Nigeria spending $1 billion annually on fish imports, this initiative could be a game-changer for the region’s agricultural sustainability.