Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025
The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 would create a temporary funding backstop to protect people who rely on SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) from losing benefits if Congress fails to pass full-year or interim funding for the Department of Agriculture in fiscal year 2026. Specifically, it would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to draw money from the U.S. Treasury (money not otherwise appropriated) to ensure uninterrupted SNAP benefits during any funding gap in FY2026. It also requires retroactive payment to cover any missed benefits from September 30, 2025 up to the date the act becomes law. The authority ends once the FY2026 appropriations are enacted (including continuing resolutions). In short, the bill acts as a temporary financial bridge to keep SNAP payments flowing during budget gaps, while ensuring any missed benefits are paid retroactively.
Key Points
- 1Purpose: To prevent interruptions in SNAP benefits during FY2026 if Congress has not enacted appropriations for the Department of Agriculture.
- 2Funding mechanism: Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to draw from any unappropriated money in the Treasury to provide the necessary funds to maintain uninterrupted SNAP benefits.
- 3Retroactive payments: Requires funds to cover any missed SNAP benefits that accrued from September 30, 2025 through the date the act becomes law.
- 4Duration: The funding authority lasts only until the FY2026 appropriations are enacted (including continuing resolutions).
- 5Status and sponsorship: Introduced in the Senate by Mr. Hawley on October 21, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.