H.R. 5860

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5860 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5860

To require the immediate release of funds appropriated for the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and the special 
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 28, 2025

Ms. Stansbury (for herself, Ms. Leger Fernandez, and Mr. Vasquez) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and 
Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the immediate release of funds appropriated for the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and the special 
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), 
and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``SNAP BACK Act.''

SEC. 2. APPROPRIATION.

(a) In General.--In fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, for any period during which interim continuing 
appropriations or full-year appropriations for that fiscal year have 
not been enacted for the Department of Agriculture, there are 
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture, such sums as are 
necessary to provide uninterrupted benefits under--
(1) the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C 
2011 et seq.); and
(2) the special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786).

SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT TO RELEASE FUNDS.

(a) Immediate Obligation of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, immediately upon 
enactment of this Act, obligate and make available all funds 
appropriated by Congress for--
(1) the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
(2) the special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
infants, and children.
(b) Prohibition on Withholding.--No officer or employee of the 
executive branch, including the Office of Management and Budget, or 
U.S. Department of Agriculture may withhold, delay, or otherwise impede 
the release or obligation of such funds for any reason not explicitly 
authorized by statute.
(c) Requirement to Enroll.--
(1) Continued enrollment.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall ensure that, all State agencies administering SNAP or WIC 
continue to accept, process, and approve applications for 
individuals and households that meet the statutory eligibility 
requirements for such programs.
(2) Access to benefits.--Individuals determined eligible 
under paragraph (1) shall receive benefits as soon as funds are 
available, and no later than five days after the Secretary 
obligates the funds made available under subsection (a).
(3) Prohibition on enrollment freeze.--No Federal or State 
official may institute an enrollment freeze, waiting list, or 
other restriction on participation in SNAP or WIC due to any 
delay or withholding of funds.

SEC. 4. CONTINUITY OF EBT CARD ACCESS AND PROCESSING.

(a) Uninterrupted Operation.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
ensure the uninterrupted operation and functionality of all Electronic 
Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems used to distribute SNAP and WIC 
benefits, including during any lapse in appropriations or due to an 
administrative delay.
(b) Timely Disbursement.--State agencies administering SNAP or WIC 
shall, upon receipt of Federal funds, immediately load benefits onto 
EBT cards for eligible households without additional delay.
(c) Prohibition on Suspension of Benefits.--No Federal or State 
agency may suspend, deactivate, or otherwise restrict the use of EBT 
cards due to any temporary funding delay.

SEC. 5. REIMBURSEMENT OF STATES OR TRIBES.

(a) Reimbursement of State or Tribe.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall reimburse any State of federally recognized American Indian Tribe 
that makes an emergency appropriation of State or tribal funds to cover 
a lapse in Federal funding for these programs up to the amount expended 
by the State or tribe.
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