Ernst Works to Fight Fraud in SNAP

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined Senator Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.)SNAP Data Transparency and Oversight Actto strengthen accountability and combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The legislation strengthens oversight and integrity by requiring states share SNAP data with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better detect improper payments, eliminate fraud, and ensure benefits are directed to Americans who truly need them.
“While Iowa has taken steps to strengthen SNAP, blue states are looking the other way as bad actors are taking advantage of loopholes,”said Ernst.“Fraudsters shouldn’t be allowed tosnap upa single cent meant to feed hungry families. I’m taking action to require every state – from California to New York – to share exactly who is receiving taxpayer-funded SNAP, so we can identify and put an end to any abuse of these funds and serve families who need it most.”
Read the billhere.
Background:
Ernst has led the fight to root out bad actors and improve the integrity of SNAP, protecting the program for those who truly need help putting food on the table. HerSnap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Acttargets billions in overpayments due to sloppy state-level administration of the program and requires states to report and repay taxpayers for all payment errors.
After the Biden administration massively expanded the number of restaurants eligible to acceptSNAP benefits, Ernst exposed that $524 million has been spent, almost exclusively on fast food, in nine states over the past two years. To stop this abuse and restore the SNAP program to its original mission of providing nutrition to food insecure Americans, ErnstintroducedtheMcStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees (McSCUSE ME) Act.
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