Federal RuleAug 21
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DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-s-3958119th CongressWALLET
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced
Summary
Move Puerto Rico onto SNAP rules and funding. This bill would phase Puerto Rico (and adjust American Samoa) out of the consolidated block grant system and into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with a long transition timeline.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Puerto Rico SNAP benefits and funding
This bill would add Puerto Rico to SNAP rules so Puerto Rico would be treated like a State for eligibility and benefit calculations. It would require food‑cost adjustments for Puerto Rico when setting SNAP benefit levels, similar to adjustments for Hawaii and parts of Alaska. After Puerto Rico finishes the transition, each fiscal year the bill would allocate an amount equal to 0.4 percent of a referenced national amount, adjusted by the percentage change in the Thrifty Food Plan. That allocation rule would start 10 years after enactment and would depend on available appropriations.
Puerto Rico SNAP transition timeline
This bill would require Puerto Rico to name an administering agency and send a SNAP transition plan within 180 days. The Agriculture Secretary would provide technical help during those 180 days and must approve or disapprove the plan within 180 days of receipt. If disapproved, the Secretary would state unmet requirements within 30 days. If approved, the Secretary would certify to Congress within 90 days that Puerto Rico may be treated like a State for SNAP. The Secretary could continue Puerto Rico's current consolidated block grant for up to five years after the Act's operative changes take effect and could end it sooner if no longer needed. The bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for planning and require yearly reports to Congress while the block grant continues.
American Samoa nutrition funding guarantee
This bill would require that, for each fiscal year after Puerto Rico's transition period ends, funds be used to pay 100% of American Samoa's costs for its territorial nutrition assistance program. That rule would take effect 10 years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 9/29/2026
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
VT • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/23/2026
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/13/2026
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/13/2026
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
MS • R
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov