Legis Daily

Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-1336| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2023
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (11)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Laphonza R. Butler (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023 This bill revises the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires benefits to be calculated using the value of a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan, which is the diet required to feed a family of four, consisting of a man and a woman ages 19-50 years, a child ages 6-8 years, and a child ages 9-11 years. USDA must (1) reevaluate and publish the market baskets of the plan by December 31, 2029, and every five years thereafter, based on current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns, and dietary guidance; and (2) make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas. The bill modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by (1) authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member, and (2) eliminating the cap on the excess shelter expense deduction. The bill eliminates certain work requirements for SNAP; the requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children. The bill allows Puerto Rico to participate in SNAP. Currently, Puerto Rico receives a block grant instead of participating in SNAP. The bill also provides funding for Puerto Rico to receive a one-time USDA grant for the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3719
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2192
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021
Apr 27, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Apr 27, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Jun 1, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-3037
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3719
    Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2192
    Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021


  • April 27, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 27, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • June 1, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-3037
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 118-3037: Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023
AgingAlaskaComputers and information technologyDisability and paralysisEmployment and training programsFood assistance and reliefHawaiiHealth care costs and insuranceIncome tax deductionsPoverty and welfare assistancePuerto RicoU.S. territories and protectorates

Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-1336| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2023
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023 This bill revises the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires benefits to be calculated using the value of a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan, which is the diet required to feed a family of four, consisting of a man and a woman ages 19-50 years, a child ages 6-8 years, and a child ages 9-11 years. USDA must (1) reevaluate and publish the market baskets of the plan by December 31, 2029, and every five years thereafter, based on current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns, and dietary guidance; and (2) make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas. The bill modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by (1) authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member, and (2) eliminating the cap on the excess shelter expense deduction. The bill eliminates certain work requirements for SNAP; the requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children. The bill allows Puerto Rico to participate in SNAP. Currently, Puerto Rico receives a block grant instead of participating in SNAP. The bill also provides funding for Puerto Rico to receive a one-time USDA grant for the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3719
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2192
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021
Apr 27, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Apr 27, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Jun 1, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-3037
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3719
    Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2192
    Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021


  • April 27, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 27, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • June 1, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-3037
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (11)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Laphonza R. Butler (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 118-3037: Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AgingAlaskaComputers and information technologyDisability and paralysisEmployment and training programsFood assistance and reliefHawaiiHealth care costs and insuranceIncome tax deductionsPoverty and welfare assistancePuerto RicoU.S. territories and protectorates