Bill Summary
The "McStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees Act of 2025," or "McSCUSE ME Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, specifically reforming the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). The main objectives of this legislation include:
1. **Eligibility Criteria**: It establishes stricter criteria for restaurants to participate in the RMP. Only retail food stores that operate prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters, and are not primarily quick-service or fast-food establishments, can qualify.
2. **Meal Standards**: Meals eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits must be intended for immediate consumption and must include at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein.
3. **Simplified Authorization**: The bill allows retail food stores authorized under existing SNAP provisions to participate in the RMP without needing additional authorization, streamlining the process.
4. **Spousal Exclusion**: It specifies that spouses of individuals eligible for SNAP benefits cannot participate in the program.
5. **Reporting Requirements**: The Secretary is required to report publicly on the program's effectiveness, including participant data and costs, to ensure transparency and accountability.
Overall, the bill aims to improve the nutritional quality of meals purchased with SNAP benefits and limit the program's use by fast-food chains, enhancing the focus on healthier food options.
Possible Impacts
The "McStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees Act of 2025" (McSCUSE ME Act) could affect people in several ways:
1. **Restrictions on Fast-Food Participation**: By limiting the participation of private establishments primarily engaged in the sale of quick-service or fast-food items, the act may reduce the availability of SNAP benefits for many individuals at popular fast-food chains. This could affect low-income individuals and families who rely on these establishments for affordable meal options, leading to a potential decrease in convenience and access to meals.
2. **Promotion of Healthier Meal Options**: The requirement that eligible meals contain at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein could encourage healthier eating habits among SNAP beneficiaries. This change may lead to improved nutritional outcomes for low-income individuals and families, as they may be more inclined to purchase meals that meet these criteria when using their benefits.
3. **Increased Accountability and Reporting**: The act mandates public reporting on the participation of private establishments in the program, including their location and the amount of benefits redeemed. This transparency could help advocate for better services and accountability within the program, allowing stakeholders to analyze participation and effectiveness. It may also empower consumers to make informed choices about where to use their SNAP benefits, potentially influencing the availability of healthier meal options in their communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3240 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3240
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the restaurant
meals program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 20, 2025
Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the restaurant
meals program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``McStopping Chains from Using SNAP
EBT to Make Entrees Act of 2025'' or the ``McSCUSE ME Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM.
Section 9(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2018(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``determines that the
participation'' and inserting the following:
``determines that--
``(A) the private establishment is a retail food
store that--
``(i) operates a prepared food section, hot
bar, or deli counter;
``(ii) is not primarily engaged in the sale
of quick-service or fast-food items, as
determined by the Secretary; and
``(iii) meets all State and local food
safety and health standards applicable to
grocery stores or supermarkets; and
``(B) the participation'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Eligible meals.--Benefits may be redeemed under the
program under this subsection from a private establishment
described in paragraph (2)(A) only for meals from a prepared
food section, hot bar, or deli counter that--
``(A) are intended for immediate consumption; and
``(B) contain at least--
``(i) 1 fruit or vegetable; and
``(ii) 1 protein, as defined by the
Secretary.
``(4) Single authorization.--
``(A) In general.--A retail food store authorized
under section 9 shall not be required to obtain a
separate authorization for participating in the program
under this section.
``(B) EBT systems.--The Secretary shall ensure that
State agencies maintain or update EBT card coding and
retailer coding systems necessary to restrict
redemption of benefits under this subsection to
eligible households.
``(5) Spousal exclusion.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, a spouse of an individual eligible for
benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program
shall not be eligible to participate in the program under this
subsection.''; and
(4) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by striking
``Senate a report on the effectiveness of a'' and inserting the
following: ``Senate, and make publicly available, a report
describing--
``(A) the number of private establishments
participating in the program under this subsection;
``(B) for each private establishment participating
in the program under this subsection--
``(i) the name and location of the private
establishment; and
``(ii) the amount of benefits redeemed at
the private establishment;
``(C) the number of individuals receiving benefits
under the program under this subsection;
``(D) the costs of the program under this
subsection; and
``(E) the effectiveness of the''.
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