Press Releases

Today, Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) announced the introduction of H.R. 5719, the Closing Loopholes on SafetyNet Exploitation (CLOSE) Act. This legislation will eliminate the gaming and abuse of the federal food stamp program by closing a major loophole that has resulted in more than five million ineligible enrollments and $7 billion dollars annually in unnecessary and wasteful spending. Arrington’s bill ensures federal nutrition assistance dollars are preserved only for the most vulnerable of Americans who meet the financial eligibility standards set by Congress. Closing the food stamp loophole would strengthen program support for the very people it was designed to help from the beginning. Policy proposals included in the “CLOSE Act” have been attempted previously in the 2018 Farm Bill but failed to be included in the final version signed into law. Last year, President Trump and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to deal with these abuses though the regulatory process. While the Administration’s actions are commendable and long overdue, passing the CLOSE Act would be an important step to codifying these changes in statute, preventing reversal by future Administrations. In addition to codifying the President’s rule on this issue, the CLOSE Act goes one step further by requiring all 50 states to conduct mandatory asset verification. This verification requirement will ensure that food stamp applicants are meeting the financial qualifications for participation. “Allowing states to extend welfare benefits to those who do not qualify is an abuse of the system, a waste of taxpayer dollars, and most importantly a disservice to American families who legitimately need food assistance,” said Arrington. “I am confident that by eliminating this fraudulent loophole, and requiring states to financially verify applicants for food stamp participation, we can ensure greater fiscal responsibility and a more reliable and sustainable social safety net.” Representatives Adrian Smith (NE-3), Jason Smith (MO-8), Dusty Johnson (SD-at large), Ted Yoho (FL-3), Robert Aderholt (AL-4), Mark Meadows (NC-11), and Paul Gosar (AZ-04) are all cosponsors of the CLOSE Act. Congressman Arrington’s bill has received additional support from Heritage Action for America, Freedom Works, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, and Club for Growth. Click here to read the full text of H.R. 5719. Click here to read Congressman Arrington’s comment letter to USDA on the proposed SNAP rule.