SNAP at Restaurants Under Fire | US News

Texas freshman Rep. Brandon Gill just unveiled a bold new bill to shut down the use of SNAP benefits at restaurants, arguing that food stamps were never meant for fast food. Targeting the Restaurant Meals Program — which let some recipients buy prepared meals — Gill claims over half a billion dollars has been spent at chains in just two years, mostly in California. While the program began in 1977 to help vulnerable populations like seniors and the disabled, critics say it’s now being exploited by big corporations. His bill wouldn’t eliminate meal assistance entirely — home-delivered meals for the elderly and disabled would still be allowed — but it’s part of a growing Republican push to rein in SNAP spending on items they see as unhealthy. The debate is heating up: should food stamps fund groceries or prepared meals? Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5cd4560129686ffd