Statement on Congress Passing a Continuing Resolution Without Protections for Victims of SNAP Theft

Today, President Biden signed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. However, the stopgap bill did not include an extension of USDA’s authority to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While we are grateful Congress passed a CR to avoid a government shutdown, CAFB is deeply disappointed. The omission leaves victims of SNAP skimming theft without the critical food assistance they need to put food on the table—particularly devastating during the holiday season.

Every month, families across California lose $5 million in SNAP benefits to sophisticated criminal operations. Without the ability to recover these stolen funds, victims are forced to make impossible choices between putting food on the table, paying rent, or keeping the lights on. This failure to act deepens the financial strain on families and undermines the effectiveness of our nation’s most important anti-hunger program.

Additionally, Congress’s decision to cut SNAP funding compounds the harm, leaving families with even fewer resources to meet their basic needs. SNAP is a lifeline for millions of Californians, and any cuts to this program push vulnerable households further into crisis.

Congress must urgently address these gaps in protections. We call on lawmakers to prioritize the restoration of USDA’s authority to replace stolen SNAP benefits and to protect SNAP funding in the coming months. Every family deserves the dignity of knowing they can feed their children and keep a roof over their heads without falling victim to theft––protections for SNAP recipients that should be as standard as those provided to credit card holders.

This is not just about policy—it’s about people. Congress must act swiftly to ensure that SNAP continues to provide the vital support that so many families rely on to put food on the table.