Daniel Goldman (D-NY)
Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 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 "Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026," aims to update the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It requires new cybersecurity and digital service regulations for EBT cards and mobile technologies used in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The legislation mandates a transition from magnetic stripe cards to chip-enabled cards to increase security and prevent cloning. It also establishes requirements for state user interfaces, such as mobile-friendly web portals and transaction notifications. Additionally, the bill provides for a grant program to help certain retailers upgrade their payment terminals. Finally, it ensures that households do not lose access to benefits due to card damage, loss, or fraud.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill secures nutrition benefits through better fraud protection, easier account management, and faster card replacement.
- Scored +6
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill mandates enhanced cybersecurity regulations to protect sensitive EBT data and prevent identity theft.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill establishes a grant program to help eligible entities upgrade to chip-compatible payment terminals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Security against Fraud: The bill requires the transition to chip-enabled EBT cards that are resistant to cloning (Section 2, B, ii, IV-VI).
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Improved Access to Account Management: States must provide user interfaces that allow households to manage their EBT accounts, which can include mobile applications or web-based portals (Section 2, B, ii, I, aa).
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Transaction Transparency: Households can receive timely electronic notices of transactions and have access to historical transaction records for at least the preceding 12 months (Section 2, B, ii, I, aa, AA-BB).
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Protection of Benefits during Card Issues: If an EBT card is damaged, stolen, or frozen due to fraud, states must ensure a replacement card is provided within 3 business days (Section 4, B, i).
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Elimination of Certain Replacement Fees: States are prohibited from charging for replacement cards if the replacement is due to a malfunction, expiration, or suspected fraud by someone outside the household (Section 5, ii).
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Support for Limited-Access Areas: A grant program is established to help eligible entities in areas with limited grocery access upgrade to chip-compatible payment terminals (Section 2, B, E, ii).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory Transition Requirements: The bill mandates that states must reissue existing valid magnetic stripe EBT cards as chip-enabled cards within 5 years (Section 2, B, ii, VI).
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Retailer Requirements: Retail food stores and wholesale food concerns seeking to participate in SNAP will be required to have chip-enabled payment terminals (Section 6).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill secures nutrition benefits through better fraud protection, easier account management, and faster card replacement. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The grant program specifically targets entities in areas with limited grocery access to upgrade their technology.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill mandates enhanced cybersecurity regulations to protect sensitive EBT data and prevent identity theft.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill establishes a grant program to help eligible entities upgrade to chip-compatible payment terminals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to publish data on EBT user interface availability and cybersecurity measures.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill protects food assistance benefits by enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring rapid replacement of lost or stolen cards.
- 7/16/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/21/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/3/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 3/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 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.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia