Rep. Brandon Gill introduces bill to end SNAP restaurant meal purchases

Representative Brandon Gill (R-Texas) has introduced the ‘Ending Restaurant Purchases with SNAP Act,’ a legislative proposal aimed at abolishing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).

The RMP, established by the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, allows specific beneficiaries—including the elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals who may lack cooking facilities—to purchase hot, ready-to-eat meals at participating restaurants. Rep. Gill argues the program acts as a loophole, stating, “SNAP is supposed to help struggling Americans put nutritious food on the table, not stick taxpayers with the bill for fast food.”

Data indicates that between June 2023 and May 2025, approximately $524 million in SNAP benefits were used at restaurants across nine participating states: California, Arizona, New York, Michigan, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland. California accounted for the largest portion of this spending, totaling roughly $475 million. While the proposed bill would bar restaurants from accepting these benefits, it would still permit public and nonprofit organizations to provide meals to eligible beneficiaries.