I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5860 
To require the immediate release of funds appropriated for the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and the special supplemental nutri-
tion program for women, infants, and children (WIC), and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 28, 2025 
Ms. STANSBURY (for herself, Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ, and Mr. VASQUEZ) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ap-
propriations, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Edu-
cation and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require the immediate release of funds appropriated for 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) 
and the special supplemental nutrition program for 
women, infants, and children (WIC), and for other pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘SNAP BACK Act.’’ 
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SEC. 2. APPROPRIATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal 
year thereafter, for any period during which interim con-
tinuing appropriations or full-year appropriations for that 
fiscal year have not been enacted for the Department of 
Agriculture, there are appropriated to the Secretary of Ag-
riculture, such sums as are necessary to provide uninter-
rupted benefits under— 
(1) the supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram established under the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C 2011 et seq.); and 
(2) the special supplemental nutrition program 
for women, infants, and children established by sec-
tion 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
U.S.C. 1786). 
SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT TO RELEASE FUNDS. 
(a) IMMEDIATE OBLIGATION OF FUNDS.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agri-
culture shall, immediately upon enactment of this Act, ob-
ligate and make available all funds appropriated by Con-
gress for— 
(1) the supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram; and 
(2) the special supplemental nutrition program 
for women, infants, and children. 
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(b) PROHIBITION ON WITHHOLDING.—No officer or 
employee of the executive branch, including the Office of 
Management and Budget, or U.S. Department of Agri-
culture may withhold, delay, or otherwise impede the re-
lease or obligation of such funds for any reason not explic-
itly authorized by statute. 
(c) REQUIREMENT TO ENROLL.— 
(1) CONTINUED ENROLLMENT.—The Secretary 
of Agriculture shall ensure that, all State agencies 
administering SNAP or WIC continue to accept, 
process, and approve applications for individuals and 
households that meet the statutory eligibility re-
quirements for such programs. 
(2) ACCESS TO BENEFITS.—Individuals deter-
mined eligible under paragraph (1) shall receive ben-
efits as soon as funds are available, and no later 
than five days after the Secretary obligates the 
funds made available under subsection (a). 
(3) PROHIBITION ON ENROLLMENT FREEZE.— 
No Federal or State official may institute an enroll-
ment freeze, waiting list, or other restriction on par-
ticipation in SNAP or WIC due to any delay or 
withholding of funds. 
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SEC. 4. CONTINUITY OF EBT CARD ACCESS AND PROC-
ESSING. 
(a) UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION.—The Secretary of 
Agriculture shall ensure the uninterrupted operation and 
functionality of all Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) sys-
tems used to distribute SNAP and WIC benefits, including 
during any lapse in appropriations or due to an adminis-
trative delay. 
(b) TIMELY DISBURSEMENT.—State agencies admin-
istering SNAP or WIC shall, upon receipt of Federal 
funds, immediately load benefits onto EBT cards for eligi-
ble households without additional delay. 
(c) PROHIBITION ON SUSPENSION OF BENEFITS.— 
No Federal or State agency may suspend, deactivate, or 
otherwise restrict the use of EBT cards due to any tem-
porary funding delay. 
SEC. 5. REIMBURSEMENT OF STATES OR TRIBES. 
(a) REIMBURSEMENT OF STATE OR TRIBE.—The 
Secretary of Agriculture shall reimburse any State of fed-
erally recognized American Indian Tribe that makes an 
emergency appropriation of State or tribal funds to cover 
a lapse in Federal funding for these programs up to the 
amount expended by the State or tribe. 
Æ 
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