Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

Hozzl · 2024-04-13T04:05:31Z

Explore the details of House Bill 253 Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Agriculture and Food. Stay informed on legislative developments.

4/13/2024, 4:05 AM

Summary of Bill HR 253

The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 253, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address disparities in nutrition assistance programs between Puerto Rico and the mainland United States.

Currently, residents of Puerto Rico receive significantly less federal funding for nutrition assistance programs compared to residents of the mainland US. This bill aims to rectify this imbalance by providing additional funding to Puerto Rico for its nutrition assistance programs.

Specifically, the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act would increase the amount of funding provided to Puerto Rico under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure that residents of the territory have access to the same level of assistance as those in the mainland US. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to address the high levels of poverty and food insecurity in Puerto Rico, and that providing equal access to nutrition assistance programs is a crucial step in improving the overall well-being of the territory's residents. Opponents of the bill may argue that increasing funding for nutrition assistance programs in Puerto Rico could be costly for the federal government, and that other solutions should be explored to address the issue of food insecurity in the territory. Overall, the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act is a bipartisan effort to address disparities in nutrition assistance programs between Puerto Rico and the mainland US, and to ensure that all residents of the US have access to the support they need to lead healthy and secure lives.

Congressional Summary of HR 253

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

This bill sets out a process to enable Puerto Rico to participate as a state in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state receives SNAP funding based on the number of participating households in the state whereas Puerto Rico receives a block grant to fund its nutrition assistance program.

The bill requires Puerto Rico to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a plan of operation to transition away from the consolidated block grant program to SNAP. USDA must provide appropriate training and technical assistance to enable Puerto Rico to formulate such plan.

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Current Status of Bill HR 253

Bill HR 253 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 10, 2023. Bill HR 253 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on January 10, 2023. Bill HR 253's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. as of February 13, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 253

Total Number of Sponsors

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Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 253

Primary Policy Focus

Agriculture and Food

Potential Impact Areas

American SamoaCaribbean areaFood assistance and reliefIntergovernmental relationsNorthern Mariana IslandsPoverty and welfare assistancePuerto RicoState and local government operationsU.S. territories and protectorates

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 253

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness ActTo amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to transition the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

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