Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Department of Agriculture should use its contingency funds and interchange authority to finance the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (2 Dec 2025): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
What this bill does
H.Res. 856 is a simple resolution expressing the House's position that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should use existing contingency funds and its "interchange authority" to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funded and operating, specifically through November 2025. The resolution asserts that the administration is legally obligated to use SNAP's contingency fund—money Congress has already appropriated for emergencies such as a lapse in government funding—and that USDA has both the legal authority and sufficient funds to do so. It also cites the Secretary of Agriculture's statutory authority under the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 to transfer funds among nutrition programs, noting this authority was recently used to fund the WIC program.
The resolution is concerned with SNAP recipients broadly, including an estimated 42 million people who rely on the program, among them about 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. It also references related nutrition assistance block grants for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, which face similar funding challenges during an appropriations lapse.
As a resolution "expressing the sense of the House," it does not carry the force of law and would not itself direct USDA action or appropriate funds; it is a statement of opinion by the House. It was introduced on November 4, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. No further action has occurred, and the committee could choose to hold hearings, mark up, or take no action on it.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Trump Administration is legally obligated to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the use of the contingency fund, the Administration has the legal authority and the funds to finance SNAP through November 2025, exercising this power is extremely important for the health and wellness of families experiencing hunger, and the Administration should immediately exercise this authority.
Timeline
2 Dec 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Common questions
- What does H.Res. 856 do?
- H.Res. 856 is a simple resolution expressing the House's position that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should use existing contingency funds and its "interchange authority" to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funded and operating, specifically through November 2025. The resolution asserts that the administration is legally obligated to use SNAP's contingency fund—money Congress has already appropriated for emergencies such as a lapse in government funding—and that USDA has both the legal authority and sufficient funds to do so. It also cites the Secretary of Agriculture's statutory authority under the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 to transfer funds among nutrition programs, noting this authority was recently used to fund the WIC program. The resolution is concerned with SNAP recipients broadly, including an estimated 42 million people who rely on the program, among them about 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. It also references related nutrition assistance block grants for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, which face similar funding challenges during an appropriations lapse. As a resolution "expressing the sense of the House," it does not carry the force of law and would not itself direct USDA action or appropriate funds; it is a statement of opinion by the House. It was introduced on November 4, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. No further action has occurred, and the committee could choose to hold hearings, mark up, or take no action on it.
- Has H.Res. 856 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.Res. 856. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.Res. 856?
- H.Res. 856 was sponsored by Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), with 51 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.Res. 856?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. (2 Dec 2025).
Related bills in Agriculture and Food
Improving Access to WIC Act
Expressing support for the designation of October 4 through October 10, 2026, as "National 4-H Week".
RAISE Act of 2026
Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act
More bills from Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as "National Workforce Development Month".
Safe Disposal of Opioids Act of 2026
Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Readiness Act of 2026
Supporting the designation of the week of September 14 through September 18, 2026, as "Malnutrition Awareness Week".
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.