RESTORE Act of 2025
Latest action (9 Sep 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 5223, the RESTORE Act of 2025, would amend federal law to remove the automatic, lifetime ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits for people convicted of drug-related offenses. Under current law, that ban applies to both SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the bill narrows the restriction so it applies only to TANF cash assistance, not SNAP food benefits. It also voids any state law, policy, or regulation that denies SNAP eligibility based on a drug conviction, and it changes SNAP's definition of "household" to include incarcerated individuals scheduled to be released within 30 days, allowing them to be counted for benefit purposes before release.
The bill mainly affects people with past drug convictions, including those recently released or about to be released from incarceration, by making them eligible for federal food assistance regardless of their criminal record. States would no longer be able to impose additional drug-conviction-related restrictions on SNAP eligibility, which could affect state administration of the program.
The bill was introduced on September 9, 2025, by Rep. Steve Cohen, with Rep. Rutherford as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means for consideration. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on September 9, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5223 do?
- H.R. 5223, the RESTORE Act of 2025, would amend federal law to remove the automatic, lifetime ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits for people convicted of drug-related offenses. Under current law, that ban applies to both SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the bill narrows the restriction so it applies only to TANF cash assistance, not SNAP food benefits. It also voids any state law, policy, or regulation that denies SNAP eligibility based on a drug conviction, and it changes SNAP's definition of "household" to include incarcerated individuals scheduled to be released within 30 days, allowing them to be counted for benefit purposes before release. The bill mainly affects people with past drug convictions, including those recently released or about to be released from incarceration, by making them eligible for federal food assistance regardless of their criminal record. States would no longer be able to impose additional drug-conviction-related restrictions on SNAP eligibility, which could affect state administration of the program. The bill was introduced on September 9, 2025, by Rep. Steve Cohen, with Rep. Rutherford as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means for consideration. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 5223 become law?
- Not yet. As of 9 Sep 2025, H.R. 5223 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5223?
- H.R. 5223 was sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen [D-TN9] (Democrat-TN), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5223?
- Introduced (9 Sep 2025).
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