Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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," seeks to amend 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 prevent cloning. It also establishes requirements for state-operated user interfaces, including mobile-friendly portals and access to transaction history. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program to help eligible entities upgrade to chip-compatible payment terminals.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill protects the integrity of SNAP benefits and ensures easier access to replacement cards.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill implements rigorous cybersecurity standards for EBT cards to prevent digital theft.
- Scored +6
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill mandates higher security standards for personal transaction data and online account access.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Retailers are required to upgrade to chip-compatible terminals, which may incur costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Security against Fraud: The transition to chip-enabled cards is designed to be resistant to cloning (Section 2(B)(ii)(A)(i)).
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Improved Digital Access and Transparency: States must provide user interfaces that allow households to manage accounts, view transaction history for at least 12 months, and receive electronic notices of transactions (Section 2(B)(ii)(A)(ii)).
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Protection for Vulnerable Households: States are required to maintain certain user interfaces, such as text message, voice telephone service, and non-digital options, to ensure households without computers or phones are not left out (Section 2(B)(ii)(A)(dd)(AA)).
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Faster Access to Replacement Cards: If a card is lost, stolen, or damaged, states must ensure a replacement is provided within 3 business days (Section 4).
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Reduced Financial Burdens for Card Issues: States are prohibited from charging fees for replacement cards when they are due to expiration, malfunctioning, or fraud committed by someone outside the household (Section 5).
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Support for Local Food Access: A grant program is established to help eligible entities in areas with limited grocery access upgrade to chip-compatible payment technology (Section 2(B)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory Changes to Payment Technology: States will be required to reissue existing valid magnetic stripe EBT cards as chip-enabled cards, which may require households to transition to new card technology (Section 2(B)(ii)(A)(VI)).
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Requirement for Retailers to Upgrade: Retail food stores and wholesale food concerns must have chip-enabled payment terminals to participate in the program (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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill focuses on protecting sensitive financial data during online and in-person transactions. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires states to publish data regarding interface availability and cybersecurity measures. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates federal standards for state-operated EBT interfaces and cybersecurity.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill protects the integrity of SNAP benefits and ensures easier access to replacement cards. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides grants to help entities in limited-access areas upgrade technology. Would business owners be better off under this? — Retailers are required to upgrade to chip-compatible terminals, which may incur costs.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill implements rigorous cybersecurity standards for EBT cards to prevent digital theft.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill mandates higher security standards for personal transaction data and online account access.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By securing SNAP benefits against fraud, the bill protects the purchasing power of low-income households.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances security for digital transactions and protects against fraud and card cloning.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides grants to help entities in limited-access areas upgrade their payment technology.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/18/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan