PRESS RELEASE
Washington DC June 25th. 2025
The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Senate Rejection of SNAP Cost-Shifting, Urges Full Removal of Harmful Work Requirements
Washington, DC – June 2025 – The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce (HRCOC) acknowledges the Senate’s decision to strike down a key provision of the proposed federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would have shifted substantial financial burdens onto state governments. This decision marks an important victory for food security and community stability across the country.
However, HRCOC remains deeply concerned about the remaining elements of the legislation, especially the expansion of strict work requirements that threaten access to SNAP benefits for millions of vulnerable Americans—including a large portion of Latino families, seniors, and immigrant workers.
“These proposed work mandates are punitive and misguided,” said Daniel Esteban Novoa, Executive Vice President of The Retail Chamber. “While we welcome the Senate’s removal of the cost-shifting provision, we cannot ignore that new work requirements and benefit eligibility changes will still push food access further out of reach for many.”
The legislation still includes provisions that would require adults aged 19–64 without dependents to complete at least80 hours per month in work, training, or community service—raising the maximum age for work requirements from 54 to 64. It also narrows the definition of dependent to children under 10, excluding many single-parent households.
For Hispanic-owned supermarkets and independent grocers, SNAP plays a vital role in community commerce. EBT sales can account for 5% or more of total revenue, and each dollar spent through SNAP generates approximately $1.79 in local economic activity.
“We must stop treating food access as a partisan bargaining chip,” added Novoa. “Our communities, our children, and our small businesses deserve better.”
HRCOC calls on Senate and House leaders to:
* Fully eliminate the remaining punitive work requirements from the final SNAP bill.
* Preserve full access to EBT/SNAP for all eligible low-income families.
* Protect the local economies supported by independent and multicultural grocery stores.
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact: info@hispanicretail.org
The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce +1 202 980 1901 www.hispanicretail.org
1455 NW Pennsylvania Ave. Suite 400 – The Willard Building – 20004 Washington DC –
