Over 20 individuals from the entertainment sector sent an open letter to lawmakers on Wednesday, asking them to reject significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid proposed in the GOP’s “big and beautiful” spending bill.
This open letter, shared by Feeding America, was signed by 31 individuals, including prominent Hollywood figures like Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Williams, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Sheryl Crow, and Liev Schreiber.
The letter emphasizes that millions depend on SNAP and Medicaid to help them “achieve their goals,” asserting, “these programs enable them to live healthier and more dignified lives, thereby contributing to the well-being of American communities.”
“Congress is currently debating a bill that could lead to some of the largest cuts to SNAP and Medicaid in U.S. history. By removing essential support and pushing countless people away from Medicaid, we would be thrusting them into food insecurity, translating to a loss of 9.5 billion meals annually,” the letter warns.
“This is simply unacceptable and wrong. It’s not how we should treat one another during challenging times,” the letter added. “We urge Congress to reject cuts to these vital programs that support millions of individuals in securing food and healthcare.”
The Senate is working on its version of a major tax and spending bill, with plans for significant alterations, so the final iteration of President Trump’s proposed legislation remains uncertain. Following this, the House will need to vote on the revised plan.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) are hopeful that they can meet the self-imposed deadline of July 4th to get the law to Trump’s desk.
The House-passed measure aims to tighten SNAP eligibility requirements and obliges states to shoulder some of the costs for benefits, which Democrats allege could ultimately diminish their own funding.
The initial bill also proposes substantial reforms to Medicaid, expected to result in millions losing coverage by 2034. Changes include stricter work requirements for program eligibility and a shortened enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act.
In recent days, various provisions within the draft Senate bill, including proposals for SNAP cost sharing, have faced scrutiny.
