Bipartisan Senators Introduce Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act to Allow SNAP Benefits for Prepared Foods
Bill would make rotisserie chicken eligible under SNAP, expanding food options for 42 million Americans
Quick Look
- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act to allow SNAP benefits to cover rotisserie chicken purchases.
- The legislation, sponsored by Sens.
- John Fetterman (D-PA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Michael Bennet (D-CO), would expand food assistance to include hot prepared foods currently excluded from the program serving nearly 42 million Americans.
AI-generated summary
WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators wants government food assistance programs to foot the bill for rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. The senators this week introduced what they're calling the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act, which would make the supermarket staple an eligible purchase under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
“America's best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” said Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who joined Republican Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia and others in sponsoring the bill. “It's one of my family's favorites, and I'm proud to join this bill with Sen. Justice for all to try. SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation's families who need it.”
The SNAP program provides a monthly stipend for low-income families to buy groceries, but it doesn't pay for hot prepared foods. The exclusion, which dates back decades, was meant to promote home cooking. But critics say it's outdated and penalizes families that are already struggling to make ends meet, excluding convenient and nutritious options.
Lawmakers at the state and federal level have long debated which foods should be eligible for SNAP benefits. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pressed states to exclude junk food such as soda and candy. Twenty-two states, mostly led by Republicans, have requested or been granted permission to ban certain foods.
SNAP is a major piece of the U.S. social safety net used by nearly 42 million, or about 1 in 8, Americans to help buy groceries. On average, the monthly benefit per household is about $350, and the average benefit per person is about $190.
Besides Fetterman and Justice, the senators introducing the bill are Republican Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Democrat Michael Bennet of Colorado. Republican Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas has pushed for similar legislation in the House.
“We have to give people the option to put a healthy, protein-dense choice on the table that actually tastes good and doesn't take an hour and a half to cook,” Justice said in a statement.
