CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Pablo Hernández (D-PR)

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

H.R. 5168 · House bill Agriculture and Food

A Democratic bill with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 89 cosponsors

Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to transition the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Under Section 3, Puerto Rico has 180 days to submit a plan of operation and a transition plan to the Secretary of Agriculture after designating a proper agency. The Secretary is required to provide training and technical assistance upon request, approve qualifying plans, and submit a certification to Congress. Section 4 allows the Secretary to continue the existing consolidated block grant for up to five years during the transition period and requires annual reports to Congress on funding increases. Section 5 adjusts consolidated block grant provisions for Puerto Rico and American Samoa to align with the transition period. Finally, Section 7 states that the amendments made by the Act take effect 10 years after the date of enactment.

Yes· 3 of 22

  • Scored +9

    Would households on low incomes be better off under this?

    The bill directly expands food assistance eligibility and benefits for the lowest-income residents of Puerto Rico.

  • Scored +8

    Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?

    The bill specifically benefits the Hispanic population of Puerto Rico by expanding food assistance.

  • Scored +8

    Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?

    Integrating Puerto Rico into SNAP provides more comprehensive food assistance to low-income households, reducing food insecurity.

The opposite

  • Scored -2

    Does this reduce what the federal government owes?

    The act authorizes the appropriation of necessary sums to transition Puerto Rico to SNAP, likely increasing federal spending.

  • Scored -2

    Does this reduce what the federal government spends?

    Transitioning to SNAP typically increases federal expenditure compared to block grants.