Bills · HR 5129
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5129Agriculture and Food
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025
INTRO SEP 4· LAST ACTION DEC 5
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
4
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 directly impacts the ability of low-income Americans to afford adequate and healthy food. By increasing SNAP benefits, it aims to help close the gap between what families can currently afford and the actual cost of a nutritious diet, potentially leading to better health outcomes and reduced hunger, especially among vulnerable populations. If this bill becomes law, many SNAP recipients could see a tangible increase in their monthly food assistance, making it easier to meet basic needs and cope with rising food prices.
Without this bill, SNAP benefits would continue to be based on the "Thrifty Food Plan," which many argue is insufficient for meeting nutritional needs in today's economy. The current system also places limits on how much housing costs can reduce countable income and requires itemization for medical expenses for some recipients. Enacting this bill would mean more financial support for food, simplified deductions, and a potentially greater ability for low-income households to navigate economic challenges, particularly those with high housing or medical costs.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Changes the basis for calculating SNAP benefits from the current "Thrifty Food Plan" to a more generous "Low-Cost Food Plan."
This would likely increase the maximum amount of food assistance households can receive, providing more support for food purchases.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to re-evaluate and publish updates to the "Low-Cost Food Plan" every five years, based on current food prices and dietary guidance.
This ensures that SNAP benefit calculations remain relevant and responsive to actual food costs and nutritional science over time.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a standard medical expense deduction for elderly or disabled SNAP recipients, starting at $140 and adjusted annually for inflation.
This simplifies the process for these vulnerable individuals to claim medical deductions, potentially increasing their eligible SNAP benefits.
PROVISION 04
Eliminates the cap on how much a household's excess shelter expenses can reduce their countable income for SNAP benefit calculations.
This provides greater financial relief for low-income households with high housing costs, allowing them to qualify for more SNAP assistance.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
D· North Carolina
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
31
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 4 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSDEC 5
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
SEP 4
Introduced in House
SEP 4
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
SEP 4
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5129
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedSep 4, 2025
Last actionDec 5, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 4, 2025
House BillHR 5129Agriculture and Food
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025
INTRODUCED SEP 4, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 5, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
