ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The sweeping federal spending proposal making its way through Congress — aimed at shepherding President Donald Trump’s top priorities — is also triggering concerns over proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, particularly in Florida where roughly 3 million residents rely on the program.

Peggy Shannon, a senior living on a fixed income in St. Petersburg, is one of those Floridians who rely on food assistance to get by.

“I don’t want to be on it, but it’s a necessity for me,” she said. “It helps supplement my food … The good things that I need that the doctor tells me that I need to buy.”

“I do plan on being self-sufficient, but currently in my journey right now, I do need SNAP. I need additional assistance so that I’m able to still move forward and sustain my daily living activities, especially for my children,” said Jennifer Nicholson, a mother of seven. “The price of food is getting higher and higher, and incomes are staying the same.”

Nicholson and Shannon were joined by Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) in sounding the alarm about what would amount to cutting roughly $300 billion out of the federal program over the next decade.

The bill — dubbed the “big beautiful bill” by proponents, passed narrowly in the U.S. House last week and includes stricter work requirements for recipients, along with the proposed funding shifts to states. Supporters say the changes aim to reduce fraud and government spending.

Democrats, like Castor, argue the plan unfairly targets vulnerable populations.

“Those bureaucratic barriers do nothing to reform the system to make it more efficient,” Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) said. “They simply work to kick people off.”

Castor added the proposal amounts to “the largest gutting of nutritional assistance in American history,” and said it’s being used to finance tax cuts for the ultra wealthy.

Feeding Tampa Bay, the area’s largest food bank, says there’s an economic benefit to the SNAP program, which helps supports farmers and retailers across the nation.

“We understand that budget decisions have to be made at the highest level, but we are here to be the voice for the many that are in our care,” said Lorna Hardwick, FTB’s Chief External Affairs Officer. “SNAP is an essential benefit. It really supports. It acts as a bridge to many. It helps many come out of that poverty … For every $1 spent on snap, $1.50 comes back to our economy.”

The bill includes provisions that would make stronger work requirements and reduce the federal government’s share of SNAP benefit payments from 100% to 95% beginning in 2028. But for states with high payment error rates, like Florida, the cuts could be even deeper.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and an analysis of the bill, Florida’s 12.6% error rate would require the state to cover 25% of SNAP benefit costs. That translates to an estimated $1.68 billion burden on the state budget.

On top of that, the federal government would also reduce its share of SNAP administrative costs — from 50% to 25% —forcing states to pick up a larger portion of the tab. A report from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) estimates that Florida would lose nearly $41 million in federal administrative support.

Castor argues there’s no guarantee states could handle taking on the added cost and keeping the program in its current state.

“We have an unfortunate track record that oftentimes when the feds say we’re backing off, it’s a state responsibility, it’s very difficult for the Florida Legislature to find the funds.”

The bill is now in the hands of the Senate, where its fate remains unclear.

Some Republicans, like Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, oppose parts of the proposal that include changes to Medicaid.

A faction of other Republicans have raised concerns about its overall impact on the national deficit, saying it doesn’t go far enough to cut spending.

“It is Congress’ responsibility to get spending under control,” Florida Sen. Rick Scott said in a Fox News interview. “We have to do it to get interest rates down and inflation under control.”

The Senate is expected to take up some form of budget bill before the July 4 recess. Until then, advocates and critics alike are bracing for what could be a historic shift in how SNAP is funded — and who ultimately pays for it.

“Senate, go back to the drawing board. Do not provide a major billionaire tax giveaway paid for by ripping health coverage away from people and ripping food assistance away from them,” Castor added.