Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6819
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T08:07:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act of 2025 (H.R. 6819)
Purpose
The legislation aims to lower the administrative costs for states that run both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, which provides food benefits to low-income individuals) and the summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) program for children (which delivers nutrition assistance during summer months when school meals are unavailable). By increasing federal funding for these costs, the bill encourages states to participate in the summer program to bridge gaps in child nutrition.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The act is named the "Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act of 2025."
- Increased Federal Reimbursement: For any fiscal year in which a state operates the summer EBT program under the Richard B. Russell School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary must reimburse the state for 90% of the monthly administrative costs. This covers:
- Costs related to the summer EBT program itself.
- Costs related to SNAP under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a)).
- The bill was introduced on December 17, 2025, by Representatives David Scott (D-GA) and co-sponsors, and referred to the House Committees on Agriculture and Education and the Workforce.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, federal reimbursement for state administrative costs in SNAP is typically 50% (with states covering the rest), and summer EBT admin costs may vary or be partially funded through grants. This bill raises the federal share to 90% for both programs when a state runs summer EBT, effectively shifting more financial burden from states to the federal government and integrating funding streams for efficiency.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA will face increased federal spending on reimbursements, potentially streamlining oversight by tying funding to joint program operation. States could see reduced budgets for these programs, freeing up resources for direct benefits or other services.
- On Citizens: Low-income families and children may benefit from easier state access to summer nutrition support, reducing food insecurity during school breaks. This could improve health outcomes for vulnerable youth without additional state-level hurdles.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic nutrition programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Agencies: Primary beneficiaries through cost reductions, encouraging broader adoption of summer EBT.
- USDA: Responsible for implementing payments and managing increased reimbursements.
- Low-Income Families and Children: Indirectly affected via enhanced access to food assistance programs.
- Food Program Administrators: State SNAP and school nutrition staff, who handle operations and could see workload efficiencies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Amends two key federal laws (Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and Richard B. Russell School Lunch Act) by expanding USDA's reimbursement authority, potentially setting a precedent for bundled funding in social welfare programs. No challenges to constitutional authority, as it falls under Congress's spending power.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the federal government's role in promoting general welfare through nutrition aid, without infringing on state rights.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (including Democrats and Republicans) suggests broad support for child nutrition; could influence future farm bill negotiations by linking SNAP and child programs, though it may spark debates on federal spending levels amid budget constraints.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (12)
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (2 pages)