Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
Makes Puerto Rico a SNAP State instead of relying only on a consolidated block grant. Puerto Rican households would become eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the island would move through a structured transition to federal SNAP funding and rules.
Show full summary
- Puerto Rico households and families: Puerto Rico is added into SNAP eligibility rules so households there can qualify for SNAP benefits. The local qualifying agency must submit a plan within 180 days and will get training and technical help to prepare for participation.
- Transition and funding mechanics: Puerto Rico may keep its most recent consolidated block grant for up to five years while shifting to SNAP. The bill also sets aside a new 0.4 percent share of an aggregate amount for Puerto Rico and American Samoa with adjustments tied to the thrifty food plan, and requires American Samoa to cover 100 percent of expenditures for its extended nutrition program.
- Oversight, timing, and appropriations: Congress and Puerto Rico get annual reports on the transition and funding needs. Many amendments in the bill take full effect 10 years after enactment and the bill authorizes such sums as necessary until the transition ends.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Path for Puerto Rico to join SNAP
This bill would set a path for Puerto Rico to join SNAP. After Puerto Rico names an eligible agency, it would have 180 days to submit a transition plan; USDA would provide help on request. USDA would have 180 days to approve if the plan meets the rules, or explain within 30 days why not; if approved, USDA would certify to Congress within 90 days. Ten years after enactment, Puerto Rico would be added to SNAP’s legal definitions. That delay means most households would not see SNAP changes until that later date.
Keep food aid during Puerto Rico’s switch
During the switch to SNAP, USDA could keep Puerto Rico’s current block grant running. It could last until five years after the Act’s amendments take effect, or end sooner if not needed. Each year it continues, USDA would report to Congress on the plan and on funding needed to shift to SNAP. Some block‑grant rules would apply only during this transition. The bill would also authorize such sums as needed through the end of the transition, and most parts would start on enactment unless a later date is named.
Post-transition food aid for Puerto Rico and American Samoa
After the transition, Puerto Rico would get 0.4% of a defined national funding amount each year, adjusted by changes in the Thrifty Food Plan. This funding would depend on annual appropriations. For American Samoa, USDA would use 100% of the set funds to pay 100% of its nutrition program costs. These parts would start 10 years after enactment and apply for years after the transition ends.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
PR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Gonzales, Tony
TX • R
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Cisneros
CA • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
CT • D
Sponsored 12/15/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 1/20/2026
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
MD • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov