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118th Congress Agriculture and Food

H.R. 3037: Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)May 2, 2023
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, May 2, 2023

This bill revises the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires benefits to be calculated using the value of a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan, which is the diet required to feed a family of four, consisting of

  • a man and a woman ages 19-50 years,
  • a child ages 6-8 years, and
  • a child ages 9-11 years.
Read the full summary

USDA must (1) reevaluate and publish the market baskets of the plan by December 31, 2029, and every five years thereafter, based on current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns, and dietary guidance; and (2) make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas.

The bill modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by (1) authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member, and (2) eliminating the cap on the excess shelter expense deduction.

The bill eliminates certain work requirements for SNAP; the requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children.

The bill allows Puerto Rico to participate in SNAP. Currently, Puerto Rico receives a block grant instead of participating in SNAP. The bill also provides funding for Puerto Rico to receive a one-time USDA grant for the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

105

Who scored on this bill

18 points earned
  1. 1Alma Adams D-NC SponsorReached a cosponsor milestone, introduced4 events+18
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

History

  1. May 2, 2023Introduced in the House by Alma Adams.
Show the full action history (3 actions)
  1. Jun 1, 2023Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
  2. May 2, 2023Introduced in House
  3. May 2, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.