hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Stops benefit increases from cutting food aid.
Rep. Moore (D-WI) and 7 co-sponsors.
In committee, no House vote yet.
This bill, called the 'COLAs Don't Count Act of 2026,' aims to prevent small increases in Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or veterans' benefits from reducing a person's eligibility or amount of food assistance (SNAP). It was introduced by Representative Gwen Moore, a Democrat from Wisconsin, along with seven co-sponsors, and has been sent to the House Agriculture Committee for review.
Introduced Jan 8, 2026
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 8, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. For it to become law, it must pass out of this committee, be approved by the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President. No votes have been held yet.
If this bill passes, individuals receiving fixed income benefits like Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or certain veterans' benefits would likely see that small annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) no longer count against their eligibility or benefit amount for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. This means they could maintain more consistent food assistance even as their other benefits slightly increase. Additionally, certain state supplementary payments for those on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) would also be excluded from these calculations.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue it helps low-income seniors and veterans avoid losing food assistance due to modest cost-of-living adjustments.
Critics Say
Critics might raise concerns about the overall cost of government programs or potential disincentives to financial independence.
Supporters of the bill would likely emphasize that its purpose is to prevent a 'benefits cliff,' where a small increase in one benefit (like Social Security COLAs meant to keep up with inflation) leads to a disproportionately larger cut in another essential benefit like food assistance. They would argue this helps low-income individuals, especially seniors and veterans, maintain their ability to afford food. Critics, if any, might focus on broader concerns about the expansion of welfare program eligibility or the fiscal implications of excluding these income sources.