Senate Considers the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act

SNAP users may soon get a bipartisan blessing to grab one of America's favorite last-minute dinners: the grocery store rotisserie chicken. A bipartisan group of senators on Tuesday rolled out the so-called "Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act," which would tweak the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act so that hot rotisserie chicken qualifies as "food" under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Current rules generally block SNAP dollars from being used on hot prepared items; cooled cooked chicken is fine, but hot is not, reports the Hill. "For seniors, working families, and those without reliable access to cooking equipment, this is about convenience and dignity," said co-sponsor Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

The proposal—also backed by Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Jim Justice, R-W.Va., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo.—would not boost overall SNAP funding or open the door to all hot foods. "America's best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chicken. It's one of my family's favorites and I'm proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try," said Fetterman, per USA Today. "SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation's families who need it." The Senate effort mirrors a House measure from Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., tied to the farm bill, where a similar hot-chicken provision was previously stripped out.