Combating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in SNAP

The GOP Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency held a hearing on June 25, 2026, focused on combating waste, fraud, and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The hearing featured testimony from USDA Inspector General John Walk, welfare fraud investigators, and policy experts who highlighted significant issues with SNAP fraud, including improper payments, trafficking of benefits, and data sharing challenges. The USDA had requested participant eligibility data from all 50 states to identify fraud, but 21 states, mostly with Democratic governors, refused to provide data, hindering fraud detection efforts. Witnesses emphasized the need for improved data sharing, stronger accountability measures such as cost-sharing for states with high improper payment rates, and modernization of fraud detection systems. The hearing also discussed the balance between program integrity and ensuring access to food assistance for eligible low-income families, with debate over policy approaches and the impact of administrative burdens. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were discussed, but the hearing underscored the importance of federal oversight and data-driven approaches to reduce fraud and protect taxpayer funds in SNAP.