H.R.1411 - No Veteran Should Go Hungry Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1411, the "No Veteran Should Go Hungry Act of 2025," aims to provide information and counseling regarding federal food assistance programs to veterans as part of the Transition Assistance Program. The bill amends Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, to include information about programs like SNAP and WIC. This information will be developed and provided in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture.
The bill seeks to ensure that veterans are aware of and can access available food and nutrition assistance programs upon their transition from military service. This is intended to address food insecurity among veterans.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Gottheimer and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to integrate information about federal food assistance programs into the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for veterans. This would ensure that transitioning service members are informed about resources like SNAP and WIC.
This could lead to increased enrollment and utilization of these programs by eligible veterans, potentially reducing food insecurity within the veteran population.
Ultimately, the bill aims to improve the well-being of veterans by connecting them with essential nutritional support.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced Food Insecurity: By providing information about food assistance programs, the bill can help reduce food insecurity among veterans.
- Improved Access to Resources: Integrating this information into the Transition Assistance Program makes it easier for veterans to access available resources.
- Enhanced Well-being: Ensuring veterans have access to adequate nutrition can improve their overall health and well-being.
- Streamlined Transition: Providing this information during the transition process can help veterans navigate the challenges of returning to civilian life.
- Increased Awareness: The bill raises awareness of available food assistance programs among veterans.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Administrative Burden: Implementing the new requirements may create a slight administrative burden for the Department of Defense and the Department of Agriculture.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses solely on providing information and does not address other potential barriers to accessing food assistance programs, such as transportation or eligibility requirements.
- Possible Overlap: There might be some overlap with existing programs or resources already available to veterans, potentially leading to redundancy.
- Dependence on Program Effectiveness: The effectiveness of the bill depends on the effectiveness and accessibility of the underlying food assistance programs themselves.
- No Direct Funding: The bill does not allocate any specific funding for the implementation of these provisions, relying on existing resources.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble), which aims to "promote the general Welfare." By addressing food insecurity among veterans, the bill can be argued to contribute to the overall well-being of this segment of the population.
Furthermore, Congress has the power to provide for the common defense and to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8). Supporting veterans through programs like this can be seen as a way to honor their service and ensure their well-being after their service concludes.
There are no apparent constitutional conflicts, as the bill does not infringe upon individual liberties or rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).