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Provides Treasury funding to keep SNAP, section 19 consolidated block grants, and the WIC program running without interruption if FY2026 USDA appropriations are not enacted. Funding is retroactive to cover missed benefits starting September 30, 2025, reimburses state agencies that ran the programs in compliance with federal law, and continues until either FY2026 USDA appropriations are enacted or September 30, 2026.
The bill preserves uninterrupted SNAP and WIC benefits (including retroactive payments) and reimburses states during funding lapses to prevent food insecurity, at the cost of increased federal outlays and potential weakening of Congress's incentives to pass timely appropriations, with some risk that noncompliant states may not be fully reimbursed.
Low-income individuals and families who rely on SNAP keep receiving benefits during an appropriations lapse and receive retroactive payments for any missed benefits between Sept 30, 2025 and enactment, avoiding sudden food insecurity and stabilizing household budgets.
WIC participants (pregnant women, infants, and young children) retain nutrition services during a lapse and receive retroactive coverage, protecting maternal and child nutrition and health outcomes.
State governments are reimbursed for costs they incur running SNAP, section 19 block grants, and WIC during an appropriations lapse, reducing immediate fiscal strain on state budgets.
Taxpayers bear increased near-term federal outlays to fund emergency payments and retroactive benefits without prior appropriations, which could raise deficits or require offsetting cuts elsewhere.
Automatic emergency authority for continuing SNAP/WIC payments during lapses could reduce political pressure on Congress to pass timely appropriations, weakening incentives for regular budgetary accountability.
State agencies that have not complied with federal requirements risk not receiving reimbursement for costs they incur, leaving some local program costs unpaid and shifting financial risk to those states.
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Jahana Hayes · Last progress November 7, 2025