SNAP BACK Act.
Rep. Stansbury Introduces SNAP BACK Act to Prevent Food Benefit Cuts During Government Shutdowns
The SNAP BACK Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to three different House committees for review and is not yet scheduled for a vote. The bill is considered active as it waits for these committees to begin their work.
Passage Likelihood
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill automatically funds SNAP and WIC whenever Congress has not passed a budget, ensuring families keep getting food benefits during government shutdowns or funding gaps.
From policy text
“for any period during which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations for that fiscal year have not been enacted for the Department of Agriculture, there are appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture, such sums as are necessary to provide uninterrupted benefits”
View in full text - The bill bans any executive branch official, including at the Office of Management and Budget or USDA, from withholding or delaying SNAP and WIC funds for any reason not spelled out in law.
From policy text
“No officer or employee of the executive branch, including the Office of Management and Budget, or U.S. Department of Agriculture may withhold, delay, or otherwise impede the release or obligation of such funds for any reason not explicitly authorized by statute.”
View in full text - States would be required to keep accepting and processing new applications for SNAP and WIC during funding delays. The bill bans enrollment freezes, waiting lists, or any restrictions on participation.
From policy text
“No Federal or State official may institute an enrollment freeze, waiting list, or other restriction on participation in SNAP or WIC due to any delay or withholding of funds.”
View in full text - EBT cards used to access food benefits must keep working without interruption, and states must load benefits onto cards immediately once federal money arrives, with no added delays.
From policy text
“The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure the uninterrupted operation and functionality of all Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems used to distribute SNAP and WIC benefits, including during any lapse in appropriations or due to an administrative delay.”
View in full text - If a state or federally recognized tribe spends its own money to keep SNAP or WIC running during a federal funding gap, the federal government must reimburse them in full.
From policy text
“The Secretary of Agriculture shall reimburse any State of federally recognized American Indian Tribe that makes an emergency appropriation of State or tribal funds to cover a lapse in Federal funding for these programs up to the amount expended by the State or tribe.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Related News
4 articlesNew Mexico congressional members back bills to keep SNAP funded
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury and other New Mexico delegation members introduced the SNAP BACK Act to ensure food assistance continues during the government shutdown. The bill requires the immediate release of funds and prohibits the administration from withholding benefits for political reasons.
House Republican introduces bill to fund WIC during shutdown
Rep. Rob Bresnahan introduced the Keep WIC Working Act to fund nutrition programs during the shutdown. The effort mirrors Democratic proposals like the SNAP BACK Act, as both parties face pressure to protect food security for millions of families caught in the budget impasse.
Ohio Democrats push bill to force state to pay for benefit programs if federal shutdown drags on
State lawmakers are proposing emergency measures to backfill federal shortfalls in SNAP and WIC using state rainy day funds. The move follows federal legislative efforts like the SNAP BACK Act intended to prevent the Trump administration from withholding food assistance during the shutdown.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SNAP BACK Act.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.