US Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa is sounding the alarm after uncovering a massive diversion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits into fast-food chains, an expansion tied directly to Biden administration policies.
According to new data released by Ernst, more than $524 million in SNAP funds were redeemed at restaurants, and almost all of them were fast-food chains, across nine participating states between June 2023 and May 2025.
That amounts to roughly $250 million per year going toward burgers, fries, pizza, and similar offerings under the Restaurant Meals Program, a carve-out originally intended as a narrow exception for the homeless, elderly, and disabled who lack access to kitchen facilities.
Ernst announced she is introducing the McStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees (McSCUSE ME) Act, a reform bill aimed at shutting down what she describes as misuse of SNAP dollars.
“The ‘N’ in SNAP stands for nutrition – not nuggets with a side of fries,” she said. “I wish I was McRibbing you, but $250 million per year at the drive through is no joke and a serious waste of tax dollars. I hate to be the one to say McSCUSE ME, but something needs to be done because taxpayers are not lovin’ it.”
The new data includes a state-by-state breakdown of spending under the expanded program, as seen in the chart above from Ernst’s office.
Oregon is currently preparing to launch its own Restaurant Meals Program, making it the 10th state, signaling even more taxpayer money could soon flow to fast-food chains unless Congress steps in.
The policy has drifted far beyond its original purpose. The RMP exception was created by Congress in 1977 to allow homeless individuals, along with elderly and disabled people without kitchen access, to buy a hot meal. But under recent expansions, the number of participating restaurants has ballooned.
Ernst’s McSCUSE ME Act would tighten eligibility to grocery stores and retailers offering healthier prepared foods while excluding fast-food and quick-service restaurants. It preserves participation for homeless, elderly, and disabled recipients but removes automatic spousal eligibility that has broadened the program far beyond its intent. The bill also requires an annual report detailing the number of vendors, beneficiaries, and total costs so the public can track how SNAP dollars are being spent.
The Iowa senator has been pushing to reform SNAP for years and says this effort complements her Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act, which targets billions in overpayments resulting from state-level administrative failures and requires states to repay taxpayers for erroneous disbursements.
5 thoughts on “McWaste, fraud, abuse, trans-fats: Nine states allow food stamps to be used for fast food”
Those are ten states to show they are no less backward thinking than Alaska. Even though Alaska isn’t on the list, we just hadn’t had a Governor, and a legislature to be on the same page which may not be that far away coming to us in 2027 if AKGoP continue remaining splintered, egotistical, not unified and uninspired
There isn’t a single government program that isn’t abused and that doesn’t involve fraud. Go ahead, prove me wrong.
The conservatives champion liberty and freedom but not for hungry people.
When you rely on other people’s money (OPM) you should expect a few constraint’s on your liberties. Don’t like the limitations, then use your own money. Don’t have ‘your own money?’ Get outa your parent’s basement and go earn it. Evan, if you’re happy to see folks buy whatever they wish using OPM, then be feel free to open YOUR wallet and contribute to your favorite SNAP participants. I’d rather MY tax dollars be wasted on nutritious foods, than on junk foods.
I’d rather SNAP recipients buy healthy food too Damien, but that doesn’t appear to be what bugs you. You think recipients are freeloaders unwilling to merge into your world view. That’s not my experience in small town Alaska. Through volunteering, I know or recognize half the food bank (food bank is different that SNAP, I know) recipients. None are physically or mentally able to gain enough money through employment to feed themselves, let alone all their other expenses.
So what to do, Damien? Are you without empathy? If you are a christian, follow the teachings.