Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7522 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7522

 To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal the particular
 work requirement that disqualifies able-bodied adults for eligibility
    to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 12, 2026

Ms. Adams (for herself, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Ms. Simon,
  Mr. McGovern, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Thanedar, Ms. Norton, Ms. Wilson of
    Florida, Mr. Fields, Ms. Rivas, and Mr. Correa) introduced the
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal the particular
 work requirement that disqualifies able-bodied adults for eligibility
    to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

    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 ``Improving Access to Nutrition Act of
2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) SNAP helps restore access to healthy food, improves
        overall health, and reduces poverty. SNAP participation is also
        associated with educational advancement of children in poverty
        and improvements in math and reading scores.
            (2) SNAP has a proven record of effectiveness in promoting
        food security and health as well as in providing economic
        stimulus. Each $1 in SNAP benefits during a downturn generates
        between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity.
            (3) Studies have also demonstrated that work requirements
        do not reduce poverty.
            (4) About 6.1 million individuals are subject to SNAP work
        requirements and are at risk of losing critical food assistance
        if they cannot comply.
            (5) Some live in households with school-aged children where
        benefit reductions or terminations could jeopardize children's
        health, development, and future success.
            (6) Children in poverty also often depend on pooled
        resources (including SNAP benefits) from extended family
        members who do not claim them as dependents.
            (7) Studies show that health impediments are a primary
        cause of why many SNAP recipients are unable to meet a work
        requirement.
            (8) Work requirements also cause an increase in the
        administrative bureaucracy, which some studies have shown,
        cause a significant reduction in SNAP participation.
            (9) Studies show that Black Americans are particularly
        vulnerable and are most likely to face recent unemployment, and
        work requirements would disproportionately prevent Black people
        from having access to this important benefit.
            (10) Families experiencing homelessness are most likely to
        leave programs like SNAP when there is a work requirement,
        thereby increasing their vulnerability.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Work Requirement.--Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015) is amended--
            (1) in subsections (d)(4)(B)(ii)(I)(bb),
        (d)(4)(N)(iii)(I)(bb), (d)(4)(N)(iv)(II), and (d)(4)(N)(v)(IV)
        by striking ``or subsection (o)'', and
            (2) by striking subsection (o).
    (b) Additional Allocations for States That Ensure Availability of
Work Opportunities.--Section 16(h)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)) is amended by striking subparagraph (E).
    (c) Technical Amendments.--
            (1) Section 7(i)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
        (7 U.S.C. 2016(i)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 6(o)(2)
        of this Act or''.
            (2) Section 16(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
        U.S.C. 2025(h)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking ``that--'' and all
                                that follows through ``(I)'', and
                                    (II) by striking ``; and'' and all
                                that follows through ``6(o)'', and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (F)(ii)(III)(ee)(AA)
                        by striking ``, individuals subject to the
                        requirements under section 6(o),'', and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(C)--
                            (i) in clause (ii) by inserting ``and'' at
                        the end, and
                            (ii) in clause (iii) by striking ``; and''
                        and all that follows through ``appropriate''.

SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Internal Revenue Code.--Section 51(d)(8)(A)(ii) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 51(d)(8)(A)(ii)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``family--'' and all that follows through
        ``(I)'' and inserting ``family'', and
            (2) by striking ``, or'' and all that follows through ``of
        2008''.
    (b) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.--The Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 103(a)(2) by striking subparagraph (D), and
            (2) in section 121(b)(2)(B) by striking clause (iv).

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Effective Date.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act
and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Application of Amendments.--
            (1) The amendments made by section 2 shall not apply with
        respect to an allotment issued under the Food and Nutrition Act
        of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) before the effective date of
        this Act.
            (2) The amendments made by section 3(a) shall not apply to
        individuals hired before the expiration of the 90-day period
        that begins on the effective date of this Act.
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