California Senator introduces bill that could raise taxes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) introduced the Student Food Security Act of 2024, bicameral legislation to address food insecurity faced by college students nationwide. Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05) and Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

According to a survey from Temple University nearly 40 percent of community college students are food insecure, over half are housing insecure, and 18 percent have experienced homelessness. These factors negatively impact student success and graduation rates.

The Student Food Security Act would support food-insecure students by expanding eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), allowing students to use SNAP benefits at on-campus dining facilities, increasing outreach by federal and state agencies to food-insecure students, and establishing an annual grant program to aid colleges and universities in better identifying and serving students with their basic needs. The bill includes key provisions from Senator Padilla’s Basic Act bicameral legislation to ensure college students are able to meet their basic needs while pursuing their education.

“Students shouldn’t have to go to class hungry. As the costs of college continue to rise, far too many students are left struggling to meet their basic needs,” said Senator Warren. “This bill will ensure that college students are not forced to decide between paying tuition and putting food on the table.”

“Students aren’t learning when they’re missing meals or living without stable housing,” said Senator Murphy. “Too often, college students, many of whom are also working or supporting a family, can’t pay rent or have to skip meals because they are trying to make ends meet while paying thousands for tuition and textbooks every semester. If we want these students to succeed, it’s on us to make sure they have the basics to do so. Our legislation would expand SNAP eligibility requirements and help universities better address food and housing insecurity so students can focus on their education without having to making these unfair sacrifices.”

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the Student Food Security Act:

• Increases the SNAP eligibility of low-income college students by expanding access to students who qualify for work-study, have a $0 Student Aid Index, meet the financial eligibility criteria for a maximum Pell Grant (even if they have not filed the FAFSA), or are an independent student whose household is otherwise eligible. This eligibility was first enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Increases outreach to eligible students by directing the U.S. Department of Education to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and other relevant agencies to notify students they may be eligible for benefits when they file their application for federal student aid.
• Requires the Department of Education to collect data on food and housing insecurity.
• Creates a SNAP student hunger demonstration program to allow students to use their SNAP benefits at on-campus dining facilities at up to ten institutions.
• Establishes a $1 billion per year grant program to help institutions of higher education identify and meet the basic needs of their students, such as food, housing, childcare, etc. Grants can be used for research, planning, and implementation of strategies that educate students on federal, state, local, and tribal assistance programs. Institutions with increased numbers of Pell Grant recipients will be prioritized. At least 25 percent of grants must go to community colleges, and at least 25 percent must go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

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