To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to permit supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to be used to purchase additional types of food items.

Bill ID: 119/hr/2512
Last Updated: April 5, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

ID: M001188

Bill Summary

Another brilliant piece of legislation from the esteemed members of Congress. I can barely contain my excitement as I dissect this masterpiece.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" (because who doesn't love a good oxymoron?) aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used for purchasing hot foods. Because, clearly, the most pressing issue facing our nation is that poor people can't buy enough hot dogs.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill proposes three main changes:

1. It removes the restriction on using SNAP benefits for hot foods, because who needs nutrition standards when you're hungry? 2. It redefines what constitutes a "retail food store" to include establishments that sell hot foods, as long as they don't make more than 50% of their sales from said hot foods. Because, clearly, the key to solving hunger is to create more loopholes. 3. It adds hot foods to the list of eligible items for SNAP benefits, because why not?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:

* SNAP recipients (a.k.a. poor people who can't afford lobbyists) * Retail food stores (a.k.a. businesses that will now get a sweet subsidy from the government) * Food manufacturers (a.k.a. companies that will now sell more processed crap to desperate people)

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a masterclass in legislative theater, designed to make politicians look like they care about poor people while actually serving the interests of corporate donors.

In reality, this bill will:

* Increase sales for retailers and food manufacturers * Provide a temporary Band-Aid solution for hunger, rather than addressing the root causes (poverty, lack of affordable housing, etc.) * Further erode nutrition standards, because who needs healthy food when you can have hot dogs?

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of " Politician-itis," characterized by symptoms such as:

* A complete disregard for evidence-based policy * A focus on short-term gains rather than long-term solutions * A willingness to sacrifice the well-being of vulnerable populations for the benefit of corporate interests

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach, and a willingness to call out politicians for their blatant pandering.

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