Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley sharply criticized the administration’s plan to impose stricter work requirements on recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), calling the move “cruel” and politically driven.
With the federal government shutdown entering its fifth week, Pressley argued the proposed changes would force food-aid recipients—many of whom are children, seniors or working parents—into mandatory employment or training just to access basic nutritional support.
She highlighted that the administration has not yet moved to fully fund SNAP despite having authority to do so, and said the choice to delay aid and layer it with work mandates reflected misplaced priorities during a national crisis.
Pressed on why the work requirement expansions are included amid benefit cuts, administration officials say the rules aim to promote “work-based outcomes” and reduce dependency, though critics say the timing risks leaving vulnerable households without help during an economic and budgetary standoff.