Espaillat, Bresnahan, Adams, and Miller Introduce Bill to Remove Unjust Barriers

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Max Miller (OH-07), and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) announced today the reintroduction of the Training and Nutrition Stability Act, which would allow jobseekers in high-quality evidence-based employment and training programs to maintain their nutrition benefits, leading to permanent employment and self-sufficiency. 

“Currently, individuals in high-quality, evidence-based employment and training programs risk losing their nutrition security because of temporary earnings they receive through their participation,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “Rules on whether these earnings count against SNAP participants’ eligibility are applied inconsistently across federal programs and funding streams, and this misalignment in policy has created confusion and benefit cliffs for affected individuals who are working to invest in their economic future. It is critical that we work to strengthen workforce opportunities and training opportunities so that individuals are not forced to choose between employment opportunity and skills development or food security.”

“Work is not a dirty word,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “In Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country, we are facing a skilled-workforce shortage, and businesses are in desperate need of those ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. This is exactly why we should not punish taking advantage of learn-as-you-earn programs and forcing workers to choose between participation in proven SNAP E&T programs and being able to receive their nutrition benefits.”  

“Qualified SNAP recipients should have the opportunity to work or seek the education they need to support themselves. This legislation ensures that their nutritional needs are met without forcing them to abandon their goals of breaking out of the cycle of poverty,” said Congressman Max Miller. “This bill was included in the 2024 House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill, and I look forward to seeing it move forward.”

“You should never have to choose between building a better life for yourself and losing your food security,” said Congresswoman Adams. “I’m proud to support the Training and Nutrition Stability Act to ensure that earnings from employment and training programs do not decrease SNAP benefits. You are not going to be successful if you’re hungry. It’s time we close the training gap so we can support those working hard to support themselves. 

Last year, after release, more than 8,000 motivated people chose to walk through CEO's front door. It is a time of hope and renewal. SNAP is a key part of reentry, but many people's benefits are reduced once they begin a paid job training program." said Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities. "The Training and Nutrition Stability Act will help bridge the gap between workforce development and food security allowing people to provide for their families and build a foundation for lasting independence. CEO is grateful to Representative Espaillat for championing this bipartisan bill, primed to change so many lives. 

The Training and Nutrition Stability Act would ensure jobseekers in programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), vocational rehabilitation programs, and refugee employment programs to leverage federal job-driven training programs dollars and maintain their nutrition benefits, leading to permanent employment and self-sufficiency.

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/. 

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov