Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-06-02

Carson Offers Amendments to Protect SNAP, Lower Energy Costs

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This press release from Representative André Carson (D-IN) was published on 2026-06-02 and titled "Carson Offers Amendments to Protect SNAP, Lower Energy Costs".

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Carson Offers Amendments to Protect SNAP, Lower Energy Costs

Carson Offers Amendments to Protect SNAP, Lower Energy Costs Caroline.Eller… Tue, 06/02/2026 - 15:53 WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) offered eight amendments to an appropriations bill to fund the Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2027. “At a time when families are struggling with rising costs, we should be strengthening the programs and investments that help people put food on the table, lower energy bills, and support Hoosier communities,” said Rep. Carson. “My provisions help protect working families, farmers, and vulnerable communities across Indiana and across the country.” The Carson amendments prioritize lowering energy costs for working Hoosier families, protecting access to SNAP and nutrition assistance, protecting civil rights, closing the digital divide gap, and supporting farmers and small businesses. These amendments will be considered by the House Rules Committee today, and the appropriations bill is expected to go before the full House of Representatives on Thursday, June 4. Descriptions of each amendment can be found here and below: Expanding Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Access (Amendment #71): Allows for local entities to opt in to receive Summer EBT benefits when the state opts out of the program, as occurred in Indiana. The Summer EBT program helps ensure children and families facing food insecurity continue receiving nutrition assistance during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Opposing SNAP Privatization (Amendment #70) : Strikes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Staffing Flexibility provision and pushes back against efforts to privatize SNAP certification services. The amendment would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to evaluate the harmful impacts and effectiveness of privatized SNAP models in Texas and Indiana before allowing similar privatization efforts to expand nationwide, helping protect access to food assistance and maintain accountability within public benefit programs. Lowering Energy Costs (Amendment #66) : Removes language limiting the use of remaining bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act funding within USDA. The amendment would preserve critical investments that help lower utility costs, support energy infrastructure, strengthen conservation programs, and assist farmers and small businesses in modernizing operations and reducing long-term costs. Protecting Civil Rights and Accountability at USDA (Amendment #68): Increases funding by $1 million for the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Civil Rights. The Office enforces federal civil rights laws and ensures employees are not treated unfairly or discriminated against by the USDA. This amendment would help ensure workplaces are free from harassment and bias and that hiring and promotions are fair. It also investigates discrimination against loan applicants. Closing the Digital Divide (Amendment #67): Increases funding for rural broadband access by $2 million. Rural broadband access bridges the digital divide, allowing farmers, students, seniors, and working families to access reliable high- speed internet. Improved connectivity would strengthen local economies and expand access to telehealth, education, remote work, and modern agricultural technology. Supporting FDA Workforce Readiness (Amendment #45) : Prohibits funds from being used to require an FDA employee to work in person at an agency facility unless the employee certifies a functional place to work. This includes access to a workstation, computer or telecommunications equipment, network access, and other equipment necessary to perform their duties. The Trump administration demanded employees to return to in-person work, in some circumstances, where there were not adequate or equipped spaces for workers. Supporting Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion (Amendment #47) : Provides $3 million for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to improve food safety and consumer choice by awarding grants to processors expanding capacity for halal, kosher, or other culturally specific meat or poultry products. Supporting Food for Peace Programs (Amendment #44) : Increases funding for Food for Peace Title II Grants by $25 million to support U.S. international food assistance, including the purchase and delivery of American agricultural products to address hunger, malnutrition, and humanitarian need. Issues : Food and Nutrition Congress Number 119th Congress June 2, 2026 Press Release June 2, 2026

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Carson Offers Amendments to Protect SNAP, Lower Energy Costs Carson Offers Amendments to Protect SNAP, Lower Energy Costs Caroline.Eller… Tue, 06/02/2026 - 15:53 WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) offered eight amendments to an appropriations bill to fund the Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2027. “At a time when families are struggling with rising costs, we should be strengthening the programs and investments that help people put food on the table, lower energy bills, and support Hoosier communities,” said Rep. Carson. “My provisions help protect working families, farmers, and vulnerable communities across Indiana and across the country.” The Carson amendments prioritize lowering energy costs for working Hoosier families, protecting access to SNAP and nutrition assistance, protecting civil rights, closing the digital divide gap, and supporting farmers and small businesses. These amendments will be considered by the House Rules Committee today, and the appropriations bill is expected to go before the full House of Representatives on Thursday, June 4. Descriptions of each amendment can be found here and below: Expanding Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Access (Amendment #71): Allows for local entities to opt in to receive Summer EBT benefits when the state opts out of the program, as occurred in Indiana. The Summer EBT program helps ensure children and families facing food insecurity continue receiving nutrition assistance during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Opposing SNAP Privatization (Amendment #70) : Strikes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Staffing Flexibility provision and pushes back against efforts to privatize SNAP certification services. The amendment would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to evaluate the harmful impacts and effectiveness of privatized SNAP models in Texas and Indiana before allowing similar privatization efforts to expand nationwide, helping protect access to food assistance and maintain accountability within public benefit programs. Lowering Energy Costs (Amendment #66) : Removes language limiting the use of remaining bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act funding within USDA. The amendment would preserve critical investments that help lower utility costs, support energy infrastructure, strengthen conservation programs, and assist farmers and small businesses in modernizing operations and reducing long-term costs. Protecting Civil Rights and Accountability at USDA (Amendment #68): Increases funding by $1 million for the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Civil Rights. The Office enforces federal civil rights laws and ensures employees are not treated unfairly or discriminated against by the USDA. This amendment would help ensure workplaces are free from harassment and bias and that hiring and promotions are fair. It also investigates discrimination against loan applicants. Closing the Digital Divide (Amendment #67): Increases funding for rural broadband access by $2 million. Rural broadband access bridges the digital divide, allowing farmers, students, seniors, and working families to access reliable high- speed internet. Improved connectivity would strengthen local economies and expand access to telehealth, education, remote work, and modern agricultural technology. Supporting FDA Workforce Readiness (Amendment #45) : Prohibits funds from being used to require an FDA employee to work in person at an agency facility unless the employee certifies a functional place to work. This includes access to a workstation, computer or telecommunications equipment, network access, and other equipment necessary to perform their duties. The Trump administration demanded employees to return to in-person work, in some circumstances, where there were not adequate or equipped spaces for workers. Supporting Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion (Amendment #47) : Provides $3 million for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to improve food safety and consumer choice by awarding grants to processors expanding capacity for halal, kosher, or other culturally specific meat or poultry products. Supporting Food for Peace Programs (Amendment #44) : Increases funding for Food for Peace Title II Grants by $25 million to support U.S. international food assistance, including the purchase and delivery of American agricultural products to address hunger, malnutrition, and humanitarian need. Issues : Food and Nutrition Congress Number 119th Congress June 2, 2026 Press Release June 2, 2026