Sponsors (38)
Introduced September 8, 2025 by Pablo José Hernández · Last progress September 8, 2025
The bill extends and stabilizes nutrition assistance for U.S. territories—notably Puerto Rico and American Samoa—improving food security and administrative predictability, but it increases federal spending and creates implementation, timing, and equity uncertainties that could strain territorial capacity and federal budgets.
Low-income households in Puerto Rico would gain access to SNAP benefits, increasing food assistance and eligibility protections for territorial residents.
Low-income households in Puerto Rico can continue receiving food assistance during the transition through a phased block‑grant option (up to five years), reducing sudden benefit interruptions.
USDA-provided training, technical assistance, and clear procedural timelines (submission, review, deficiency notice, certification) increase the likelihood of an approved SNAP plan and create administrative predictability for the territory.
Federal taxpayers may face increased costs because extending SNAP eligibility to Puerto Rico, continuing block grants during transition, and fully reimbursing American Samoa will raise federal nutrition spending.
Tight deadlines, new administrative requirements, and territorial capacity gaps could strain Puerto Rico's government, risking plan disapproval or delays that prolong reliance on less‑generous local nutrition programs.
Keeping the block‑grant option during the transition may delay many Puerto Ricans' access to SNAP's typically higher benefit levels and stronger eligibility protections.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Allows Puerto Rico to apply to join SNAP as a State, sets transition timelines and temporary block-grant continuation, and mandates full federal reimbursement to American Samoa after a referenced period.
Allows Puerto Rico to seek full participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by submitting a transition plan to USDA, with set timelines for review and certification, and permits temporary continuation of Puerto Rico’s current block grant for up to five years or until the transition is complete. Also requires full federal reimbursement to American Samoa for a specified territory nutrition assistance program after a referenced period, authorizes unspecified funds to support the transition, and delays the effective date of the statutory amendments for 10 years after enactment.