BILL: Should We Fight Hunger? - Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023 - H.R.3037

The Bill

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

Bill Details

• Sponsored by Rep. Alma S. Adams (D-N.C.) on May 2, 2023
• Committees: House - Agriculture
• House: Not yet voted
• Senate: Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• Currently, 34 million Americans, including 5 million children, depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to meet their nutritional needs. However, the rising cost of food in America outpaces SNAP benefits each year.
• This bill would improve food security for millions of Americans. The bill increases benefits by roughly 30% and amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require that supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits be calculated using the value of the low-cost food plan. 

What's in the Bill

Tackles hunger

• Expands SNAP benefits to prevent hunger across the country.
• Approximately 40% of households that rely on SNAP are still food insecure due to the gap between funding and rising prices.

Raises baseline benefits for SNAP households

• Addresses inadequacies in SNAP by raising the baseline benefit and allocating more funds to those with large medical and housing expenses.
• SNAP benefits are based on the restrictive Thrifty Food Plan, which inadequately calculates benefits, providing a $2.03 per meal. According to a 2021 study by USDA, the average household spent 15% more on food than the Thrifty Food Plan allows for. 
• Incorporates the Low-Cost Food Plan into the SNAP formula, which would more accurately estimate how much money working people spend on food.

Eliminates unrealistic barriers

• Authorizes the standard medical deduction in every state permanently for seniors and disabled individuals applying for SNAP benefits at a minimum of $140. Individuals with high expenses could continue to apply for a higher, itemized medical deduction.
• Eliminates the cap on the Excess Shelter Deduction in the SNAP formula to account for the cost of living for recipients in areas with high rent and utilities.
• Eliminates time limits on benefits for Americans struggling to find work.
• Expands benefits for those who live and work in Puerto Rico by offering SNAP benefits as offered in the continental U.S.

What Supporters Are Saying

• Rep. Adams said:

"Over 40 million Americans depend on SNAP for their meals, even though SNAP benefits are not generous enough to feed a family or prevent child hunger. The Closing the Meal Gap Act will address this issue by strengthening the SNAP program for millions of people, including older Americans, people with disabilities, children, struggling parents, students, unemployed and underemployed people, and veterans. No person should ever go hungry or malnourished in the greatest country in the world."

• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said:

"We live in the richest nation in the world, and more than 40 million Americans still depend on food assistance. I am proud to lead my Democratic colleagues in introducing the Closing the Meal Gap Act, a bill that enhances SNAP benefits and puts food on the table for those who need it most. Despite this, Republicans in Congress are willing to slash federal spending for this life-saving program and play politics with people's lives. No one in the United States should go hungry, and I will never turn my back on the more than 40 million Americans, including 15 million children, who depend on SNAP."

• Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) said:

"After House Republicans shamelessly passed a bill to tear away food assistance from almost 100,000 women, children, and seniors, NOW is the time to protect and expand SNAP food assistance as an anti-hunger lifeline for all. I'm proud to help introduce the Closing the Meal Gap Act to fight back and strengthen SNAP for millions of Americans—from older folks and veterans to disabled folks, struggling parents, students, unemployed and underemployed people — because in country with as many billionaires as we have, hunger is a policy choice. Bold action like this is is how we eradicate it."

What Opponents Are Saying

• Cutting spending on federal food assistance programs is a frequent Republican target during debt negotiations. House Republicans have also long sought to impose work requirements on individuals participating in SNAP.
• Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said:

"If you're going to live off the taxpayers and some kind of SNAP program and government resources, there should be a work requirement."

Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill

-Emma Kansiz 

(Photo Credit: Canva)