Sponsors (70)
The bill expands and clarifies access to federal nutrition assistance for U.S. territories (especially Puerto Rico and American Samoa) and strengthens implementation capacity, but does so with increased federal spending, potential reallocation of pooled funds, and transition/oversight uncertainties that could delay benefits for some residents.
Low-income residents of Puerto Rico will gain eligibility for SNAP (while retaining existing block-grant benefits during the transition), giving them access to federal food assistance and the potential for higher benefits once the territory's plan is approved.
Residents of American Samoa will have their nutrition assistance program fully federally funded (100% of pooled funds directed to American Samoa after the statutory period), securing benefits and reducing the risk of local shortfalls.
Puerto Rico and territorial/local administrators will receive federal training, technical assistance, and faster review timelines (180-day review and 30-day deficiency notice), improving planning capacity, predictability, and benefit delivery.
Taxpayers face higher federal costs and potential increases to deficits because expanding SNAP eligibility to Puerto Rico, fully funding American Samoa’s program, maintaining block grants during transition, and open‑ended funding raise federal outlays.
Transition timing and added certification steps (including congressional certification) could delay Puerto Rico residents' access to SNAP—if plans are disapproved or certification is slow—leaving low-income households waiting for higher benefits.
Directing 100% of pooled funds to American Samoa after the statutory period could reduce funding available to Puerto Rico and other territories, potentially lowering assistance for some territory residents.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Adds Puerto Rico to SNAP eligibility, creates a 180-day plan-and-review transition, continues Puerto Rico’s block grant up to 5 years, and redirects territory pooled funds to fully fund American Samoa over time.
Introduced September 8, 2025 by Pablo José Hernández · Last progress September 8, 2025
Adds Puerto Rico to the geographic list of jurisdictions eligible to participate in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), sets a required transition process for Puerto Rico to submit a SNAP plan and for USDA to approve it, and permits USDA to continue Puerto Rico’s existing consolidated block grant for up to five years while the transition proceeds. The bill also changes how federal pooled nutrition funds are allocated to American Samoa (moving toward fully covering American Samoa’s program expenditures after a statutory period), requires reporting to Congress, and authorizes whatever funding is necessary to carry out the transition. Most of the statutory amendments become effective ten years after enactment, while other provisions (including effectiveness and transition authorities) take effect on enactment.