S. 3071 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Oct 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps food aid programs running during budget lapses
When Congress hasn't passed a budget for the Department of Agriculture by the start of a new year, agencies sometimes have to stop operations temporarily. This bill makes sure that doesn't happen to SNAP (the food stamp program) and WIC (nutrition help for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children). It sets aside money to keep these programs going without interruption, and covers any benefits that people missed if a gap did occur.
How it affects you
If you receive SNAP or WIC benefits, this bill protects you from losing access to that support during budget delays in Congress. Puerto Rico and American Samoa residents who receive nutrition assistance through these programs are also protected. State agencies that run these programs would get reimbursed for costs they incur during any funding gap.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Oct 29, 2025)
Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025
This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue operating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and a related block grant program if there is a lapse in FY2026 appropriations for USDA.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to USDA for any period in which legislation to provide FY2026 interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations for USDA has not been enacted. If such a lapse in appropriations occurs, the bill provides the appropriations that are necessary to continue
• providing uninterrupted SNAP benefits,
• providing consolidated block grants to Puerto Rico and American Samoa for nutrition assistance programs, and
• carrying out WIC without interruption.
In addition, the bill provides appropriations to pay any benefits under these programs that were missed on or after September 30, 2025, and before this bill is enacted.
The appropriations for these purposes are available until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of legislation to provide FY2026 appropriations for USDA (including continuing appropriations), or (2) September 30, 2026.
The bill also requires USDA to use the funds provided by this bill to reimburse state agencies for costs that were incurred to carry out these programs during a lapse in appropriations, to the extent that the programs were carried out in accordance with federal law (including regulations) during the lapse.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 3071
A BILL
Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) · Introduced Oct 29, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 29, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.”