Protein for Every Plate Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 8165

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-30: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-04-13T20:53:33Z

AI-Generated Summary

Protein for Every Plate Act of 2026 (H.R. 8165)

Purpose

This bill aims to boost the availability of animal protein (such as meat, poultry, fish, or eggs) in emergency food assistance programs by increasing federal funding for purchasing these items.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 27(a)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which funds commodity purchases for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.
• Adds a new subparagraph (F) requiring an extra $200 million each fiscal year (FY) 2026 and 2027 specifically for buying animal protein.
• This amount is added to the existing funding level in subparagraph (E) for those years.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands funding formula: Previously, funding under Section 27(a)(2) covered general commodities up to subparagraph (E). The bill inserts grammatical fixes (adding "and" and a semicolon) and appends the new $200 million animal protein allocation as subparagraph (F).
• Targets only FY 2026 and 2027; does not create permanent changes.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must spend an additional $400 million total ($200 million per year) on animal protein procurement, potentially increasing administrative costs for purchasing and distribution.
• Citizens: Low-income individuals and families relying on TEFAP (emergency food from food banks and pantries) gain access to more protein-rich foods, which could improve nutrition in aid packages.
• No direct international relations impact.

Main Stakeholders

• USDA: Oversees TEFAP commodity purchases and distribution.
• Emergency food providers: Food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens distributing TEFAP aid.
• Low-income recipients: Primary beneficiaries through enhanced food options.
• Agricultural producers: Livestock, poultry, and fish farmers/suppliers may see increased demand and sales.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Straightforward amendment: No major legal or constitutional challenges; it's a targeted spending increase within existing authority for nutrition assistance.
• Temporary and specific: Limits scope to two years and one food category, potentially setting precedent for future targeted protein funding in federal aid.
• Political context: Introduced by Rep. Pappas (D-NH) and referred to House Agriculture Committee; reflects focus on nutrition equity without broader reforms.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-30: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2026-03-30: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protein for Every Plate Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-30 — PDF (2 pages)