For Immediate Release: December 10, 2025
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation Urges Congress to Pass Bipartisan Bill for Puerto Rico’s Transition to SNAP
Speakers at briefing advocate for Puerto Rico’s transition from inadequate nutrition program to full participation in the federal SNAP program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Currently, Puerto Rico operates under the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP), a block grant that provides substantially lower benefits for U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and creates a discriminatory two-tier system that limits people’s ability to access affordable food. As a result, residents of Puerto Rico face hunger, lack of nutrition, and food insecurity on a daily basis. Hispanic Federation hosted a briefing urging Congress to pass the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act (H.R. 5168), a bipartisan bill that would grant U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico the same life-saving food assistance benefits available in the states, Washington D.C. and other U.S. territories.
The briefing spotlighted the dire need to integrate Puerto Rico into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through H.R. 5168. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Resident Commissioner, Hon. Pablo José Hernández, and supported by the Puerto Rico Governor, Hon. Jenniffer González Colón, uniting two advocates in the fight for food security throughout Puerto Rico. The legislation would end this longstanding disparity and dramatically improve food security for low-income families, children, senior citizens, and veterans across the archipelago. Hispanic Federation is urging Congress to prioritize access to healthy food for families by passing a Farm Bill that includes a full transition for Puerto Rico from NAP to SNAP.
“For more than 40 years, families in Puerto Rico have been systemically excluded from SNAP, faced restrictive federal nutrition funding, and forced to live with consistently high poverty rates,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “Americans know very well how limited food assistance is when trying to put food on the table, a reality that exacerbated in Puerto Rico by its exclusion from the SNAP program. Hispanic Federation has long advocated for parity in federal assistance for Puerto Rico and pushed back on the systemic discrimination that has prevented it. The bipartisan Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act is a crucial step to address the nutritional disparities of vulnerable communities in Puerto Rico. We demand that Congress authorize Puerto Rico’s transition into SNAP in the next Farm Bill.”
“Puerto Rico’s nutrition program is essential to our families, and this discussion is about strengthening long-term food security for the Island. Transitioning from NAP to SNAP is about stability, fairness, and disaster protection. My legislation is built to achieve that with bipartisan support,” said Pablo José Hernández, Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner.
“It is entirely unacceptable that when families in Puerto Rico experience hunger, they are denied access to the same federal food assistance program available to families on the mainland,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I’ve fought for years to pass the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act. Our bill would correct the injustice created when Congress revoked Puerto Rico’s participation in SNAP more than 40 years ago, and it would ensure that American citizens in Puerto Rico receive the same food assistance as every other American. I am grateful to the Hispanic Federation and advocacy groups for all their critical work and look forward to getting this vital legislation across the finish line.”
“Despite being part of the United States, we continue seeing Puerto Ricans treated as second-class citizens. With approximately 43% of people on the Island living under the poverty line, it is critical for Congress to work together to ensure families have access to the same assistance programs as those living on the mainland—including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. I’m proud to work with the Hispanic Federation and other partners to push for Puerto Rico’s transition from the current Nutritional Assistance Program to SNAP,” said Congressman Darren Soto, (Fl-09).
“Governor González-Colón is committed to Puerto Rico’s transition from the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While serving in Congress, she introduced H.R. 253, the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act, proposing a path from NAP to SNAP that would allow both Puerto Rico and USDA to prepare for an orderly and successful transition. She also worked with the Committee on Appropriations to secure language that would update a feasibility study, published by USDA in 2022, that reviews both NAP and SNAP procedures and explains what changes would need to be made to be in full compliance with SNAP. As Governor, our administration is proactively working on program changes and improvements with the dual purpose of better serving NAP beneficiaries and placing Puerto Rico in greater alignment with SNAP to prepare for a potential transition. We appreciate all the stakeholders that have supported the transition and have worked with us for many years. We look forward to continue working together with the goal of operating SNAP in Puerto Rico,” shared Gabriella Boffelli, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration.
“We are calling on Congress to authorize Puerto Rico’s transition into SNAP through H.R. 5168, the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act. The Coalition for Food Security Puerto Rico urges the House and Senate to support the inclusion and passage of the provision in the 2026 FARM Bill, finally ensuring that the citizens of Puerto Rico have nutritional parity after 40 plus years of exclusion from SNAP,” affirmed Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Director of the Coalition for Food Security Puerto Rico.
“Enacting H.R. 5168 would set in motion a transition process that would address the long-standing, arbitrary, discrimination against U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico who face food insecurity and economic hardship daily, while, at the same time, benefiting farmers in the mainland. It is a unique opportunity for Congress to do both, the right thing for Puerto Rico and to do good for U.S. farmers,” explained Sergio M. Marxuach, Policy Director and General Counsel, Center for a New Economy.
Following the congressional briefing, on December 10 Hispanic Federation and the Coalition for Food Security Puerto Rico partners: Center for a New Economy, Banco de Alimentos Puerto Rico, Instituto del Desarrollo de la Juventud, and Espacios Abiertos will take part in an advocacy day to secure support from members of Congress for this critical legislation.
Even more, Hispanic Federation shared a letter sent to key members of Congress, endorsed by more than 110 organizational allies from New York, Illinois, Florida, California, Connecticut, and North Carolina, asking Congress to finally authorize Puerto Rico’s transition to SNAP. See the letter here.
To learn more about Hispanic Federation’s Puerto Rico federal policy priorities, access the 2025 Federal Agenda: Puerto Rico.
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
