Bills · HR 479
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 479Agriculture and Food
Healthy SNAP Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 16· LAST ACTION FEB 14
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
12
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it would fundamentally alter how low-income Americans use their food assistance, potentially influencing their dietary habits and health outcomes. If passed, SNAP recipients would have less freedom in their food choices, which could lead to healthier eating for some but also create challenges in terms of access, cost, and personal preferences, particularly for those with specific dietary needs or cultural foods not on the approved list. It could also shift demand for certain products in grocery stores.
If the bill does not become law, the current system would remain in place, allowing SNAP recipients to purchase most food items for home preparation, with only non-food items like alcohol and tobacco being explicitly excluded. Voters should care because this bill represents a significant policy debate about government's role in guiding food choices, public health initiatives, and ensuring dignity and flexibility for individuals receiving assistance.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a specific list of foods and food products that can be purchased with SNAP benefits through a formal rule-making process.
This provision shifts SNAP from a general food allowance to a restricted list, fundamentally changing what items recipients can acquire.
PROVISION 02
Explicitly prohibits using SNAP benefits for soft drinks, candy, ice cream, prepared cakes, pies, cookies, and similar desserts, in addition to existing bans on alcohol and tobacco.
These widespread items would no longer be purchasable with SNAP, directly impacting many recipients' shopping habits and choices.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that the Secretary consider nutritional research (foods lacking in US diets), public health, cultural eating patterns, and appropriate fat, sugar, and salt content when designating approved foods.
This aims to ensure the designated food list promotes healthier dietary choices among SNAP recipients based on scientific and cultural considerations.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Secretary to review and update the designated food list at least every five years to incorporate the most recent scientific knowledge and public health concerns.
This ensures the food list remains current and effective in promoting health and reflecting evolving nutritional understanding.
PROVISION 05
Allows State agencies to request approval from the Secretary to substitute different nutritionally equivalent foods to accommodate diverse cultural eating patterns.
This provides a mechanism for some flexibility to address specific cultural dietary needs within the new federal restrictions.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 12
R· Oklahoma
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
12
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 12 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 14
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
JAN 16
Introduced in House
JAN 16
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 479
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Last actionFeb 14, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025
House BillHR 479Agriculture and Food
Healthy SNAP Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 14, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
12
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
