In Case You Missed It...

This week at CBPP, we focused on immigration, Social Security, food assistance, federal budget and taxes, and health.

• On immigration, Shelby Gonzales warned that the harsh new “public charge” rule would threaten lawful immigration and lead families that include immigrants to forgo health coverage, food assistance, and other essential benefits they need and qualify for.
• On Social Security, Kathleen Romig and Devin O’Connor urged Congress to raise Supplemental Security Income (SSI) asset limits so that families with disabled children who choose to open Trump Accounts do not have to worry that their efforts to save for their children’s futures will cost them essential support.
• On food assistance, Ashley Blair, a community health advocate, urged states to maximize flexibility in the WIC food package to ensure that participants can choose foods that best meet their families’ preferences and needs. Sonya Schwartz, Jennifer Sullivan, and Zoë Neuberger offered an adaptable letter template for stakeholders to recommend ways to connect Medicaid enrollees to WIC and increase participation in the program. Varshini Varadaraj, Stacy Lu, Laura Samuel, Bonnielin Swenor, Joseph Llobrera, Catlin Nchako, and Kacy Bartels explained how SNAP provides food assistance to millions of people with disabilities, improving food security and long-term health and economic outcomes, but harsh work requirements and narrow definitions of disability limit access to SNAP for many disabled people. Joseph Llobrera released a brief highlighting how SNAP provides essential support to millions of people with disabilities.
• On federal budget and taxes, Kris Cox, Stephanie Hingtgen, and Kiran Rachamallu called on Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit to children who are left out of receiving the full credit because their families’ incomes are too low. Sonali Master, Brendan Duke, Sam Berger, and Richard Kogan warned that the House Republican 2027 appropriations bills propose cuts to important non-defense public services, core government functions, and investments that meet our nation’s needs.
• On health, Jennifer Wagner explains how the Medicaid work requirement will take away or block coverage from many people who are looking to work, who are hospitalized, or who miss deadlines through no fault of their own.

Chart of the Week — House Republican Non-Defense Appropriations Are Lowest in Years

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The Center was active on social media this week. Here are some highlights:

• Chuck Marr posted a thread to X and Bluesky on a bipartisan proposal to lift the Social Security wage cap to reduce the Social Security financing gap and avoid benefit cuts.
• Chuck Marr posted a thread to X and Bluesky on how raising the corporate tax rate could counter AI-related economic inequity.
• Stephanie Hingtgen posted a thread to X and Bluesky on how policymakers should make the full Child Tax Credit available to the 19 million children who receive less than the full credit amount because their families’ incomes are too low.
• Sarah Lueck posted a thread to X and Bluesky on the federal Medicaid work requirement rule and steps the Administration can take to reduce coverage losses and limit harm.

A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts this week. Here are some highlights:

43,000 fewer Mississippians are on SNAP after Congress and President Trump slashed funding 
Mississippi Today 
July 31, 2026 

Bipartisan Proposal Would Lift Social Security Tax Wage Cap 
The Daily Upside 
July 31, 2026 

Map Shows Where 19 Million Children Are Missing Child Tax Credit 
Newsweek 
July 30, 2026 

The Coming Food-Stamp Crisis 
The Atlantic 
July 30, 2026

More Americans are buying groceries on credit. Here’s why that’s a problem. 
Washington Post 
July 29, 2026 

Virginia perdió más de 100.000 personas de SNAP en un año 
El Tiempo Latino 
July 28, 2026

Trump’s Crippling SNAP Cuts 
The Majority Report 
July 28, 2026

Illinois sees 16% drop in SNAP enrollment 1 year after food program overhaul 
Chicago Sun-Times 
July 27, 2026

More than 1 million children lost access to food benefits after Trump bill passed 
The Guardian 
July 25, 2026