McSCUSE ME Act of 2025
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
The "McSCUSE ME Act" (McStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees Act) reforms the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program by restricting which restaurants can participate. Currently, SNAP benefits can be used at various restaurants, including fast-food chains. This bill changes the rules so only grocery stores with prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters can participate. These stores must meet food safety standards and cannot be primarily focused on selling quick-service or fast-food items.
Who Benefits and How
Grocery stores and supermarkets with prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters gain access to a new revenue stream from SNAP recipients who need prepared meals. These retailers benefit by receiving approximately $50-100 million annually in SNAP benefits that would have otherwise gone to fast-food chains. The bill also streamlines their participation by eliminating the need for a separate authorization process.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Fast-food and quick-service restaurant chains (like McDonald's, Burger King, and similar establishments) lose the ability to accept SNAP benefits under the Restaurant Meals Program, cutting off a significant revenue source. State agencies administering SNAP must update their EBT card coding and retailer systems to restrict redemptions. Spouses of SNAP-eligible individuals are explicitly excluded from participating in the Restaurant Meals Program. SNAP recipients who rely on prepared meals (particularly elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals) may face reduced access if they live in areas without grocery stores that offer qualifying prepared foods.
Key Provisions
- Restricts Restaurant Meals Program participation to retail food stores with prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters that are not primarily fast-food establishments
- Requires all eligible meals to contain at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein source
- Eliminates the need for grocery stores to obtain separate authorization to participate (streamlines enrollment)
- Mandates that state agencies update EBT systems to enforce the new restrictions
- Prohibits spouses of SNAP-eligible individuals from using the Restaurant Meals Program
- Requires enhanced public reporting including names, locations, and benefit amounts redeemed at each participating establishment
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Restricts the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program to retail food stores with prepared food sections and excludes fast-food chains
Who Benefits
- Grocery stores with deli/prepared food sections
- Supermarkets
- SNAP recipients in areas with limited grocery options
Who Bears Costs
- Fast-food chains
- Quick-service restaurants
- Spouses of SNAP-eligible individuals
Key Policy Areas
Food Assistance, Nutrition, Retail Regulation
Primary Purpose
Restricts the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program to retail food stores with prepared food sections and excludes fast-food chains
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Redirect SNAP benefits from fast-food chains to grocery stores with healthier prepared meal options"
Identified Gains
- Grocery stores with deli/prepared food sections
- Supermarkets
- SNAP recipients in areas with limited grocery options
Identified Costs
- Fast-food chains
- Quick-service restaurants
- Spouses of SNAP-eligible individuals
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMs. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice …
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, …
Introduced in Senate
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Fast-food and quick-service restaurant chains, Grocery stores and supermarkets with prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters
Positive-direction: Grocery stores and supermarkets with prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters
Negative-direction: Fast-food and quick-service restaurant chains
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Agriculture
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
A retail food store that operates a prepared food section, hot bar, or deli counter; is not primarily engaged in quick-service or fast-food items; and meets State and local food safety standards
Meals from prepared food sections intended for immediate consumption containing at least 1 fruit or vegetable and 1 protein
As defined by the Secretary of Agriculture
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology