Sponsors (102)
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Jahana Hayes · Last progress November 7, 2025
The bill preserves nutrition assistance for vulnerable Americans during an FY2026 funding lapse, prioritizing immediate food and maternal/child nutrition security while increasing near-term federal spending and granting broad Treasury authority that raises fiscal oversight and budget-management risks.
Low-income individuals (including residents of Puerto Rico and American Samoa) will continue receiving SNAP and related nutrition block-grant assistance without interruption during an FY2026 appropriations lapse, preventing immediate food insecurity for millions.
Pregnant people, infants, and young children will keep access to WIC benefits during an appropriations lapse, maintaining critical nutrition support for vulnerable mothers and children.
State agencies that lawfully operate SNAP and WIC programs will be reimbursed for costs they incur during the lapse, reducing immediate financial strain on state administrations.
Taxpayers may face higher near-term federal outlays if the Treasury advances funds to cover benefits during the lapse, increasing federal spending and potential fiscal pressure.
The bill gives broad, open-ended authority to obligate Treasury funds ('such sums as are necessary'), which reduces fiscal oversight and control over emergency spending.
If later appropriations are insufficient, USDA or other departments may have to absorb reimbursements charged to subsequent accounts, complicating agency budget management and potentially shifting costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Provides temporary mandatory funding to keep SNAP, WIC, and nutrition block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa running if USDA FY2026 appropriations lapse and reimburses states for lawful costs.
Provides temporary mandatory funding so SNAP, WIC, and the consolidated nutrition block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa keep paying benefits if USDA FY2026 appropriations (including a continuing resolution) are not enacted. It covers missed benefit payments from September 30, 2025 through the date of enactment, requires the USDA Secretary to reimburse state agencies for lawful program costs incurred during the lapse, and charges those costs to the applicable future appropriations once enacted; the authority ends when FY2026 USDA appropriations are enacted or on September 30, 2026, whichever comes first.