Bill · S. 3240· Senate(119-S-3240)
McSCUSE ME Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 11/20/2025
- Last activity
- 11/20/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Joni Ernst
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "McSCUSE ME Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the restaurant meals program. It changes the definition of participating establishments to retail food stores that are not primarily engaged in selling quick-service or fast-food items. The bill mandates that eligible meals must include at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein for immediate consumption. It also requires the Secretary to ensure EBT coding systems restrict benefit redemption to eligible households. Additionally, the bill excludes spouses of individuals eligible for SNAP from participating in this specific program. Finally, it requires a public report on the program's effectiveness and costs.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill requires the Secretary to make a report on program effectiveness and costs publicly available.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
The bill mandates that eligible meals must contain specific nutritional components like a fruit or vegetable and a protein.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+1
The bill implements restrictions on participation and meal types that may lower overall program costs.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
The bill prohibits quick-service or fast-food establishments from participating in the restaurant meals program.
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?-2
The bill restricts the pool of eligible participants by excluding spouses of those receiving SNAP benefits.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased nutritional standards for meals: Benefits may only be used for meals that include at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein, as defined by the Secretary (Section 2, paragraph 3).
-
Increased transparency and accountability: The Secretary must make a report publicly available that includes the number of participating establishments, their locations, the amount of benefits redeemed, the number of people receiving benefits, and the costs of the program (Section 2, paragraph 1).
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Ensuring benefit integrity: The Secretary is tasked with ensuring EBT card and retailer coding systems are updated to restrict benefit redemption to eligible households (Section 2, paragraph 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on establishment types: Private establishments that are primarily engaged in the sale of quick-service or fast-food items would no longer be able to participate in the program (Section 2, paragraph 1).
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Exclusion of family members: A spouse of an individual eligible for benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program is barred from participating in the restaurant meals program (Section 2, paragraph 1).
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Specific meal requirements: Benefits can only be used for meals from specific areas like a prepared food section, hot bar, or deli counter that are intended for immediate consumption (Section 2, paragraph 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+1Improves Small Business Support-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-2
- 11/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.