Details
By Aminah Syed
Food | Agriculture
August 2, 2026
Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., reintroduced legislation that would expand nutrition assistance for tribal households by allowing eligible families to receive benefits through two federal food programs in the same month
The Tribal Access to Nutrition Assistance Act would allow individuals who are eligible for both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) to use both programs in the same month
“This legislation is a common-sense fix that will increase food security — making sure fewer people go hungry — and reducing the red tape and hurdles that result from frequent switching between programs,” Murray said in a July 24 news release
Currently, individuals who qualify for both SNAP and FDPIR must choose one program each month. By contrast, eligible recipients of other federal nutrition programs, including WIC and TEFAP, may also receive SNAP benefits. The bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow eligible tribal households to participate in both SNAP and FDPIR simultaneously
FDPIR provides USDA foods to eligible households on Indian reservations and in designated Native communities, while SNAP provides monthly benefits for grocery purchases
The measure is backed by several tribal governments and Native organizations, including the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Native Farm Bill Coalition, the Intertribal Agriculture Council and the National Congress of American Indians
Murray first introduced the legislation in 2023, but it did not advance out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
About The Author
Author: Aminah Syed
Aminah Syed is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in multimedia journalism and political science. She has reported for The University Daily Kansan, KUJH News and Fry Bread, covering breaking news, politics, campus affairs, and Native arts and culture.
Other Articles by this author
- DOE makes $218.5M available for tribal home energy rebate program
- Tribes eligible for up to $300,000 in tourism grants
- FEMA reserves $75M for tribal resilience projects as BRIC deadline nears
- Tribes gain direct access to federal recreation grants worth up to $15M
This article is available to paid digital subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access
