Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025
Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill expands a federal nutrition program called Summer EBT that currently helps low-income families buy groceries during summer school breaks. If passed, the program would also provide benefits whenever schools close for extended periods—such as during unexpected shutdowns, remote learning situations, or hybrid schedules lasting five or more consecutive weekdays. The bill would increase the daily benefit amount to cover breakfast, lunch, and a snack for every day school is closed, recognizing that children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals during these periods. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects low-income families with school-aged children and would be administered by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA). A major provision changes how the government funds the program's administration: for fiscal year 2026, the federal government would cover 100% of states' administrative costs (currently 50%), then gradually reduce this support back to 50% in subsequent years. This aims to help states implement the expanded program more easily. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025This bill expands the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) to include coverage during a school closure period. (Summer EBT provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.)Under the bill, a school closure period means a period in which an elementary school or secondary school is closed, operating remotely, or operating in a hybrid manner for five or more consecutive weekdays during a calendar year.The bill also increases the daily value of the benefit to cover the cost of breakfast, lunch, and a snack for every day school is closed.For FY2026, USDA must pay each state agency and covered tribal organization 100% of the administrative expenses (currently 50%) incurred in operating the program. The rate that USDA must pay for administrative expenses decreases each fiscal year until it reaches 50% of the expenses for FY2031 and each fiscal year thereafter.USDA must also provide grants to states to support the development or upgrading of data systems that are necessary to implement Summer EBT.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.