More than 3.1 million jobless adults without disabilities or dependents rely on SNAP waivers, and the Soros-funded Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) just sparked a new controversy. In 2016, CBPP bragged that it “prepares waivers for the majority of states” and that the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service “is aware of the quality of our product,” according to emails obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
These waivers allow states—like California, New York, Washington, and Illinois—to exempt able-bodied adults from work requirements. Today, nearly 75 percent of the 4.2 million such adults on food stamps live in states using these waivers, a Foundation for Government Accountability study found.
Now CBPP falsely warns that the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” would strip benefits from vulnerable groups, according to reporting from the Free Beacon. The group claims “homeless people, veterans, and former foster youth will lose access to food stamp benefits,” but the legislation clearly exempts pregnant women, individuals “currently homeless,” veterans, and former foster children age 24 or younger.
House Agriculture Committee spokesman Ben Nichols called the scare tactics “fear mongering,” adding that Rep. Glenn Thompson has made clear that those exemptions will remain in place.
CBPP’s involvement runs deep. Then–vice president Stacy Dean emailed Minnesota officials in 2016: “We have every confidence that FNS wants to support MN to continue its waivers and that they will expedite the review of this request.” Since then, CBPP received over $5.6 million from Soros and the Democracy Alliance.
Dean later became the Biden administration’s deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services. Under her watch in 2021, SNAP benefits expanded through a $256 billion extension via benefit recalculation—a move that bypassed Congress, Free Beacon reports.
Critics say CBPP helps states exploit loopholes that render work requirements ineffective. FGA notes states “have used gimmicks and loopholes” to exempt many areas—even those with low unemployment.
