Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2489

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-05-12T08:06:04Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025 aims to prevent updates or reevaluations of the Thrifty Food Plan—a budget guideline used to determine benefit levels in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps)—from causing more households to experience food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to situations where households lack enough food due to limited money or resources.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 3(u) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by adding a requirement that any reevaluation or update to the Thrifty Food Plan must not increase food insecurity nationwide.
• Continued Adjustments: Updates must still follow established rules for adjusting diet costs based on factors like inflation and nutritional needs (as outlined in existing paragraphs 1 through 4 of the law).
• Definition of Food Insecurity: Explicitly defines it as the number of households unable to acquire adequate food due to insufficient financial or other resources.
• Short Title: The legislation is titled the "Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, the Thrifty Food Plan could be updated or reevaluated by the Secretary of Agriculture without a specific mandate to avoid increasing food insecurity. This bill introduces a new safeguard, making food insecurity a direct criterion for approvals.
• It preserves the core mechanisms for cost adjustments (e.g., for price changes or family size) but ties them to the non-worsening of food access.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP, would face restrictions on plan updates, potentially requiring more rigorous analysis of food insecurity data before changes. This could increase administrative costs for monitoring and compliance.
• On Citizens: Low-income individuals and families relying on SNAP benefits (about 42 million people annually) may see stabilized or potentially higher benefits to prevent food shortages, reducing hunger risks. However, it could limit efficiency improvements if updates are needed for long-term program sustainability.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this is a domestic nutrition policy focused on U.S. households.
• Broader Effects: Could influence federal budgeting for SNAP, which exceeds $100 billion yearly, by prioritizing anti-hunger goals over cost-saving measures.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• SNAP Recipients: Primarily low-income households, including families with children, seniors, and working poor, who depend on benefits for grocery purchases.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Responsible for implementing and enforcing the Thrifty Food Plan updates.
• Advocacy Groups and Policymakers: Anti-hunger organizations (e.g., those supporting the bill's many co-sponsors from both parties) and members of Congress focused on social welfare programs.
• Taxpayers and Budget Authorities: Indirectly affected through potential influences on federal spending and fiscal policy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Strengthens statutory protections under the Food and Nutrition Act by embedding food insecurity as a measurable standard, potentially leading to legal challenges if USDA updates are deemed non-compliant (e.g., via lawsuits from affected households or advocates).
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with the government's role in promoting general welfare (as per the U.S. Constitution's preamble and spending clause), but could raise questions about executive discretion if it overly constrains the Secretary of Agriculture's authority.
• Political Implications: Reflects bipartisan support for food security (evident from diverse co-sponsors), signaling a policy shift toward prioritizing hunger prevention amid economic pressures like inflation. It may influence future debates on welfare reforms, emphasizing equity over austerity.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

Cosponsors (71)

Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Rivas, Luz [D-CA-29], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] and 21 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
• 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-03-31: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-31: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (2 pages)