Following the passage of the Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law July 4 by President Donald Trump, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson announced cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Ferguson estimated one million Washingtonians who receive SNAP assistance will see reduced benefits, and more than 130,000 Washingtonians could lose their benefits, per a press release.

“This bill takes food from our most vulnerable Washingtonians to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy,” Ferguson said. “This bill is only beautiful to billionaires.”

The state would be left with an additional $87.8 million in administrative costs associated with the program, and also would increase Washington’s cost share of benefits to more than $100 million, Ferguson said.

“According to United States Department of Agriculture estimates, each dollar from the SNAP program produces more than $1.50 in economic activity at grocery stores, farmers markets and more,” per the release.

SNAP benefits are provided by the state Department of Social and Health Services with guidelines and regulations set by the U.S. Congress and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.

As of May, DSHS estimated 24,862 Kitsap residents, including 7,374 children, received benefits through the Basic Food Program, a state program combining the SNAP program and the state-funded Food Assistance Program for legal immigrants.

Ferguson shared the following statement with Kitsap News Group.

“President Trump’s cruel bill will literally take food away from thousands of Washington children to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. For many families, they’re already working to stretch every dollar. Hunger impacts kids’ performance in school, their health and their physical development. These cuts will adversely impact a generation of kids into the future.”

Regarding implementation, a spokesperson for Ferguson’s office said they are reviewing the bill to determine effective dates with some provisions set to go into effect immediately, while others go into effect later in the year, as well as in October 2027.

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) shared her disapproval and concerns regarding the new law.

“Republicans are not giving up on taking dinner off the table, taking school lunch off kids trays so they can shovel tax cuts at billionaires and wealthy corporations, and it is worth underscoring the new red tape in their bill is even targeted at some of our most vulnerable families, because it expands work requirements to apply to seniors and parents with kids in school,” Murray said.