Congress could soon put an end to work requirement exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals and youth that were in foster care who receive food assistance.

While House Republicans preserved the exemptions to work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of their broader package to advance President Trump’s tax cut and spending priorities, Senate Republicans omitted the key language in their version of the bill. The exemptions were initially negotiated as part of a bipartisan deal two years ago.

The GOP-led Senate Agriculture Committee confirmed the provision’s absence would mean the exemptions would no longer be retained for members of the three groups.

The move has drawn little attention on both sides of the aisle so far, as other pieces of the Republicans’ megabill take center stage, including significant changes to Medicaid and what some estimates have projected as a multitrillion-dollar tax package.

Even multiple GOP members of the Senate committee that produced the text say they intend to press for more information about the potential change before the upper chamber votes on the bill.

“When you have an opportunity to restore dignity and hope and belief back to someone, we're doing something that I think is, is our obligation, you know, we should try to help people that are down under luck and having a hard time,” Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), a member of the committee, also told The Hill when asked about the matter.

However, he added, “From the standpoint of the SNAP benefits and everything, if we're doing something that is detrimental to our veterans, shame on us, because they have given us so much it's off the chart.”

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.)........

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