A day after legislation was announced by Congressman Al Green that would bring back federal funding to replace stolen SNAP benefits, elected leaders are already chiming in.
The legislation, which Rep. Al Green will file in Washington D.C. on Thursday, was developed after the Houston lawmaker learned of the problem from KPRC 2 investigative reporting.
READ: KPRC 2 reporting on stolen SNAP benefits leads to Houston Congressman filing legislation
Over the last year and a half, more than $15 million in SNAP benefits has been reported stolen in Texas.
Across the country, that number exceeds $384 million.
“I’m honored to tell you that because of your investigation, we will be filing this piece of legislation,” Rep. Green told KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding in an interview on Tuesday.
Less than 24 hours later, the bill is already getting approval from other lawmakers.
“I support Congressman Al Green’s SNAP SECURE Act of 2025 because I believe in SNAP and taking care of our neighbors and those who are most vulnerable,” said Rep. Sylvia Garcia.
In a one-on-one interview KPRC 2’s Keith Garvin, Gov. Greg Abbott spoke about bad actors stealing SNAP benefits meant to help put food.
Gov. Greg Abbott: “So, obviously I haven’t seen the legislation, but what I can tell you is this. First of all, if there are people out there stealing those benefits, that’s a crime. And that crime needs to be prosecuted and we need to eliminate the theft of those benefits. And then the second thing is obviously we want to ensure that the people for whom those benefits were intended actually receive those benefits.”
Keith Garvin: “In principle, would you support those federal funds being replenished that would help those victims?”
Gov. Greg Abbott: “I got to have to look at it. I don’t even comment on state legislation without taking a look at it. And I’ve seen nothing about this so far, but more than happy to take a look.”
For victims of the crime, known as ‘SNAP Skimming,’ losing the benefits is like losing a lifeline.
Kimberley Edwards found out that someone had stolen her SNAP benefits while standing in the checkout line at a grocery store in February.
READ: Houston single mom’s SNAP benefits stolen; state says they can’t replace them
“Everything’s scanned, swiped my card, and the cashier looked at me and she said, ‘Your card was denied,’” she said. “I was devastated. I’ve never been through anything like that in my life. I felt helpless. I felt violated. Who could do something like this?”
Edwards lives at an Extended Suites in Houston’s Fairbanks neighborhood.
She has no home, no car and no guaranteed income due to a disability.
The SNAP benefits are her only way to feed herself and her son.
“I’ve been doing the best I can,” she said. “I mean, I’ve worked hard. I’m doing everything right. Go to church, pray, teaching my son, he’s an honor student. I was distraught. I felt like I could have just went through the floor.”
The legislation will be filed by Rep. Green on Thursday. However, even if it’s approved, it would take months before the legislation would become law.
