Senator Ernst Condemns Fast-Food Spending in SNAP Program as Taxpayer Funds Wasted

Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst criticized Democrat-led states for allowing hundreds of millions in government food aid to be spent at fast-food establishments, highlighting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a misuse of taxpayer funds. “The ‘N’ in SNAP stands for nutrition — not nuggets with a side of fries,” Ernst said, noting that $250 million per year is spent at drive-throughs. She added, “I wish I was McRibbing you, but this is no joke and a serious waste of tax dollars.”

Ernst revealed that her review of SNAP found $524 million in allowed purchases “almost exclusively” at fast-food restaurants under program regulations approved by Democrats in nine states. The federal government sets core eligibility rules and pays benefits, with states handling administration, applications, and enforcement. States can also seek federal approval for limited program variations, including the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows certain SNAP recipients to buy prepared food at approved locations.

Ernst explained that Congress approved a change to ease restrictions on “hot and prepared food” to assist homeless individuals in getting prepared meals using SNAP funds. She said the Biden administration “massively expanded” the number of restaurants eligible to accept SNAP payments, with California being the largest contributor. Over the last two years, more than $475 million in SNAP-covered restaurant meal purchases were processed in that state, mostly at fast-food establishments.

Ernst proposed restoring the SNAP program to its original mission of providing nutrition to food-insecure Americans and introducing the “McStopping Chains” bill to prevent restaurants from using SNAP EBT to make entrees. She argued that government food assistance was never intended as anything but a short-term boost for citizens facing hard times.