Fries Aren’t Free: Ernst Targets Fast Food Subsidies

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is strengthening nutrition standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by urging Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. to close a loophole that has allowed more than $500 million in SNAP benefits to be spent at fast-food restaurants in recent years.

In a letter to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, Ernst and Representative Brandon Gill (R-Texas) are calling for a review of the Restaurant Meals Program:

"Under federal law, SNAP benefits generally may be used for most foods and beverages intended for home consumption, but USDA places clear limits on certain items. Most notably, SNAP prohibits the purchase of foods that are 'hot at the point of sale.' … Congress created a narrow exception to this restriction by allowing states flexibility in how SNAP benefits could be used by those who lack access to storage or cooking facilities. … Today, this is known as RMP," wrote the lawmakers.

"What was originally intended as a narrow accommodation … is now dominated by large national fast-food and quick-service chains. Examples of these chains include Jack in the Box, Domino's Pizza, Popeyes, Subway, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Del Taco, KFC, Wingstop, Burger King, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, El Pollo Loco, Carl's Jr., Dairy Queen, Denny's, Jamba Juice, Noodles & Company, Papa John's, Firehouse Subs, Baker's Drive Thru, and Yoshinoya," continued the lawmakers.

"The scale of growth warrants closer review. Data shared with our offices indicates more than $524 million in SNAP benefits were spent at RMP-authorized restaurants across the nine participating states from June 2023 through May 2025. … At the same time, the Trump administration has taken action to strengthen nutrition standards for SNAP-authorized retailers and improve access to healthier food choices. … We urge USDA and HHS to conduct a comprehensive RMP review and consider reforms to better align the program with the Administration's MAHA goals and taxpayers' interests," the lawmakers concluded.

Read the letter here.

Background:

Ernst has led the fight to root out bad actors and improve the integrity of SNAP, protecting the program for those who truly need help putting food on the table. Her Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act targets billions in overpayments due to sloppy state-level administration of the program and requires states to report and repay taxpayers for all payment errors.

After the Biden administration massively expanded the number of restaurants eligible to accept SNAP benefits, Ernst introduced the McStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees (McSCUSE ME) Act to restore SNAP to its original mission of providing nutrition to food insecure Americans.

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