HR 9456: SNAP Citizenship and Residency Act of 2026

HR 9456 in plain English: This bill is early in the legislative process and detailed text is not yet available. Sponsor: Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2] (R) · Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Stated purpose

To limit who among non-citizens can receive SNAP food assistance benefits, allowing only lawful permanent residents who have lived in the United States for at least 10 years after receiving that status to be eligible.

Arguments supporters make

• SNAP is meant as a safety net for people with deep roots in the country; requiring 10 years of lawful permanent residency ensures benefits go to those most committed to and established in the United States.
• Limiting SNAP to longer-term residents protects the program's limited resources for citizens and immigrants who have contributed to the tax base and economy over many years.
• A clear, consistent residency standard makes the program easier to administer and reduces the risk of improper payments to those who may not remain in the country long-term.

Arguments opponents make

• Hunger and food insecurity affect children and families regardless of how long they have held a green card; cutting off recent lawful immigrants from food assistance can cause real hardship, especially for those who arrived legally and are still getting established.
• Lawful permanent residents pay taxes and follow immigration law just like longer-term residents; singling them out for a waiting period treats people who did everything right under the law as second-class residents.
• The 10-year threshold goes well beyond existing federal waiting periods for immigrant SNAP eligibility and could push vulnerable families, including young children, into food insecurity with no alternative safety net.

Tradeoffs

Restricting SNAP eligibility may reduce federal spending and direct benefits toward longer-established residents, but it also means lawful immigrants — including families with children — who currently qualify would lose access to food assistance during their first decade in the country.

Current status in Congress: In committee.