The proposal would allow hot, prepared rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to be bought with SNAP benefits, according to a bipartisan group of U.S. senators who introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act this week. The legislation targets a long-standing SNAP restriction that keeps the program from covering hot prepared foods, even though SNAP is designed to help low-income families buy groceries each month.
Supporters of the bill argue that the hot-food exclusion no longer matches the realities of many households, where convenience can matter as much as cost. They also contend that the rule, which dates back decades, can penalize families that are already trying to make ends meet and can limit access to protein options that are ready to eat without home preparation.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined Republican Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia and other lawmakers in sponsoring the measure. In remarks tied to the bill, Fetterman said: “America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” adding that he was proud to join the effort “for all to try” and that “SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation’s families who need it.”
Justice said the legislation would help people “give people the option to put a healthy, protein-dense choice on the table that actually tastes good and doesn’t take an hour and a half to cook,” according to a statement cited with the bill. Besides Justice and Fetterman, the senators introducing the measure include Republican Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Democrat Michael Bennet of Colorado.
The SNAP program provides a monthly stipend for low-income households to buy groceries, but it does not pay for hot prepared foods bought from retail stores, the AP reported. Lawmakers have debated for years which foods should count as eligible purchases, and how much flexibility states should have in setting their own rules within the broader program.
The proposal is also arriving amid pressure on state SNAP policies from the federal health and human services department. The AP said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pressed states to exclude certain “junk food” such as soda and candy, while 22 states—mostly led by Republicans—have requested or been granted permission to ban certain foods.
SNAP is one of the largest elements of the U.S. social safety net, with the AP saying it is used by nearly 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, to help buy groceries. The AP also reported that the average monthly benefit is about $350 per household and about $190 per person.
The debate over the rotisserie chicken provision reflects a wider question about what SNAP should cover as it continues to serve millions of people. Republican Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas has pushed for similar legislation in the House, according to the AP, as supporters argue the program should include more ready-to-eat options while opponents say the hot-food limits are meant to promote cooking at home.