New DOGE bill looks at food stamps excess payments and requires states to repay

Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus, is spearheading a new initiative to address what she believes is a significant amount of waste in food stamp programs. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Ernst discussed her new bill aimed at tackling overpayments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as “food stamps.”

The Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act, introduced by Senator Ernst, seeks to hold states accountable for collecting back SNAP overpayments and returning the funds owed to the federal government. The legislation also aims to address errors in SNAP payment distribution by requiring states to report every error and implementing a zero-tolerance policy for overpayments.

According to estimates from Senator Ernst’s office, the bill could potentially save $91 billion over the next decade. This effort aligns with the broader mission of the DOGE caucus, which was established by President Donald Trump to identify and eliminate government waste.

While the DOGE caucus initially included figures like billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, it was recently announced that Ramaswamy would be stepping back from his role in DOGE to pursue a gubernatorial run in Ohio. Despite this development, Senator Ernst remains committed to advancing legislation that promotes fiscal responsibility and accountability in government programs.

In light of these efforts, Republicans in both the House and Senate have formed caucuses aligned with the DOGE agenda to support initiatives aimed at reducing wasteful spending and bureaucracy. Senator Ernst has already introduced several bills that reflect the principles of the DOGE caucus, demonstrating her dedication to improving government efficiency.

As the chair of the Senate DOGE caucus, Senator Joni Ernst continues to lead the charge in addressing waste and inefficiency in government programs, with a particular focus on strengthening the integrity of SNAP and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Her efforts reflect a broader commitment to promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability in government operations.