09/14/2026
Love this guy!
I introduced legislation to end a ridiculous loophole that allows taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits to be spent at restaurants, including fast-food chains.
In just two years, more than $524 million in SNAP benefits were spent at participating restaurants. In some states, SNAP dollars can even be used at chains like Popeyes, Burger King, and McDonald’s.
SNAP was created to help struggling Americans put nutritious food on the table, not stick taxpayers with the bill for restaurants. At a time when President Trump is working to Make America Healthy Again and get junk food out of SNAP, allowing taxpayer dollars to subsidize restaurant meals makes no sense.
That’s why I introduced the Ending Restaurant Purchases with SNAP Act of 2026. My bill closes the restaurant loophole and refocuses SNAP on helping struggling Americans afford nutritious groceries, while protecting meal assistance provided through public and nonprofit organizations for elderly and disabled Americans who cannot prepare meals themselves.
Taxpayer-funded food assistance should promote nutrition, not subsidize restaurants. It’s time to end this loophole.
