The House Agriculture Committee released the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, hailing it as “providing certainty to our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.” Without question, America’s farmers deserve our thanks and, most importantly, our support. Yet, when roughly 70% of the draft farm bill funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, taxpayers are justified in asking, “Where’s the beef?” 

What’s missing? In the current committee draft, there are simply no meaningful reforms for a food stamps program projected to cost more than $1 trillion over the next decade.

The United Council on Welfare Fraud is the only national nonprofit group dedicated exclusively to combating waste, fraud, and abuse in social service programs. They represent state and local investigators who see firsthand how identity schemes, false applications, corrupt retailers, duplicate participation, and organized criminals exploit SNAP, robbing beneficiaries and taxpayers.

We strongly urge Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and his committee to make changes to this legislation; otherwise, this bill will end up being a $1 trillion missed opportunity.

What is needed? SNAP’s administrative framework has remained largely unrevised and updated for decades — despite explosive growth. When UCOWF testified before the committee in 2024, we provided specific, practical solutions to preserve SNAP, including: