WASHINGTON, DC — Both of West Virginia’s senators have extended arms across the aisle to introduce a bill aimed at putting hot rotisserie chicken on the tables of Americans in need of a hot meal.
In a release on Wednesday, Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) announced that he and senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) have introduced the “Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act,” meant to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase hot rotisserie chicken with their benefits.
“Allowing folks on SNAP to buy hot rotisserie chickens is truly just common sense. It’s as basic as you can get to help busy parents or grandparents put something as simple as this on the table to feed their families. We have to give people the option to put a healthy, protein-dense choice on the table that actually tastes good and doesn’t take an hour and a half to cook,” Senator Jim Justice said.
The release said that the current U.S. statute defining SNAP does not allow beneficiaries to purchase hot foods. However, it does allow the purchase of cooked rotisserie chicken that has been cooled down. This act, if passed, would add “hot rotisserie chicken” to the list of permitted items.
“Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken is a simple, practical step to make the program work better for the people it serves. For seniors, working families, and those without reliable access to cooking equipment, this is about convenience and dignity. With multiple states—including West Virginia—already requesting flexibility in this area, this bill brings SNAP in line with real-world needs while making smart, efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Senator Shelley Moore Capito said.
The release added that this bill does not increase funding or participant eligibility for SNAP, nor does it allow all hot foods to be eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits. If passed, it will also only apply to eligible retailers, not restaurants.