Mark Messmer (R-IN)
Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025
A Republican bill with no 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
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025," aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It seeks to reform the existing restaurant meals program by changing how private establishments participate. The bill introduces specific requirements for the types of food stores and meals that are eligible for benefits. It also establishes rules for EBT system coding to restrict benefit redemption to specific households. Additionally, the bill introduces a spousal exclusion for those eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance. Finally, it mandates a public report regarding the program's participation, costs, and effectiveness.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary to make a report on program effectiveness and costs publicly available.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The prohibition of spousal participation and limitations on fast-food establishments may negatively impact the flexibility of these benefits for low-income families.
- Scored -2
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The bill restricts meal options and excludes spouses from participating, which could limit the utility of benefits for low-income households.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill implements stricter eligibility and meal requirements which may reduce program costs through tighter control.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Streamlined Authorization: Retail food stores will not be required to obtain a separate authorization to participate in the program, which simplifies the process for these businesses (Section 2, paragraph 4, subparagraph A).
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Increased Transparency: The bill requires a report to be made publicly available that details the number of participating establishments, their locations, the amount of benefits redeemed, the number of individuals receiving benefits, and the costs of the program (Section 2, paragraph 1, subparagraph B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Strict Meal Requirements: Benefits can only be used for meals from a prepared food section, hot bar, or deli counter that are intended for immediate consumption and contain at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein (Section 2, paragraph 3).
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Restricted Store Types: Private establishments must be retail food stores that operate a prepared food section, hot bar, or deli counter, and they cannot be primarily engaged in the sale of quick-service or fast-food items (Section 2, paragraph 1, subparagraph A).
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Spousal Ineligibility: A spouse of an individual who is eligible for benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program is prohibited from participating in this specific program (Section 2, paragraph 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to make a report on program effectiveness and costs publicly available.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The prohibition of spousal participation and limitations on fast-food establishments may negatively impact the flexibility of these benefits for low-income families.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill restricts meal options and excludes spouses from participating, which could limit the utility of benefits for low-income households.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill implements stricter eligibility and meal requirements which may reduce program costs through tighter control.
- 1/13/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 12/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.