Dan Sullivan on Food Assistance: SNAP Cuts and Alaska's New Costs
Dan Sullivan of Alaska cast one of the 50 votes for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 1, 2025, a law under which about 4 million people nationally will lose some or all SNAP benefits in a typical month once fully implemented, based on CBO estimates. The law shifts SNAP administrative costs to states, which Alaska estimates will cost it about $10 million a year.
Before passage Sullivan voted against protecting food aid for families with children under 12, and in 2025 he voted against striking food assistance cuts from both budget resolutions. He called the law's work rules "common sense work reforms."
In Alaska, the expanded work rule reaches older adults and parents of teenagers for the first time.
Dan Sullivan's Votes and Statements on SNAP
- Sullivan Cast a Deciding Vote for the Deepest SNAP Cuts in July 2025. On July 1, 2025, Dan Sullivan voted yes on H.R. 1, which passed 50 to 50. The law applies the SNAP work requirement to adults aged 55 through 64 and parents with children aged 14 and older for the first time and removes exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and young people leaving foster care.
- Sullivan Voted Against Protecting Food Aid for Families With Young Children in June 2025. On June 30, 2025, Sullivan voted no on a motion to ensure "no provision of the bill cuts any food assistance benefits for families with children under the age of 12" (Congressional Record); it failed 47 to 53.
- Sullivan Voted Against Striking Food Aid Cuts From the 2025 Budget Plans. On February 21, 2025, Sullivan voted no on striking instructions requiring cuts to programs critical to rural Americans and food assistance (failed 47 to 53), and on April 4, 2025 he voted no on striking the Agriculture Committee instructions (failed 47 to 51).
- Sullivan Called the SNAP Work Rules "Common Sense" in July 2025. On July 2, 2025, Sullivan said there are "common sense work reforms that are both in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and the Medicaid provisions" (Alaska Beacon transcript).
What the SNAP Cuts Dan Sullivan Voted For Mean for Alaska Families
- Thousands of Alaskans live in households at risk of losing food aid. CBPP estimated in June 2025 that under the Senate's work requirement proposal about 3,000 people in Alaska lived in households with adults aged 55 to 64 at risk of losing SNAP, and about 2,000 in households with children aged 14 and older.
- Alaska's state budget must absorb new SNAP costs. Alaska estimates the administrative cost shift alone at about $10 million per year, and its benefit cost liability is projected to exceed $55 million a year once the deferred benefit cost shift takes effect, money that must come from other state services or reduced help for families.
Frequently Asked Questions Dan Sullivan on Food Assistance
What is Dan Sullivan's record on food assistance under Trump?
Dan Sullivan of Alaska voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which CBPP says will cut SNAP for about 4 million people a month nationally, voted against protecting food aid for families with young children, and called the new work rules "common sense."
Did Dan Sullivan vote to protect SNAP for children?
No. Dan Sullivan voted no on June 30, 2025 on a motion to ensure no provision cut food benefits for families with children under 12, which failed 47 to 53.
How much will the SNAP changes Dan Sullivan voted for cost Alaska?
Dan Sullivan voted for a law that Alaska estimates will cost the state about $10 million a year in administrative costs, with benefit costs projected above $55 million a year later.
Last updated: 2026-10-28