Senate

Senators to introduce ‘Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act’ for SNAP recipients

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by Ryan Mancini - 04/22/26 8:04 PM ET

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by Ryan Mancini - 04/22/26 8:04 PM ET

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A bipartisan group of Senators on Tuesday introduced the “Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act” to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, recipients use their benefits to buy rotisserie chicken.

The amendment would amend the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act by modifying the definition of food to add “hot rotisserie chicken,” according to a joint statement about the bill from Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-Pa.) office. It would not increase funding or SNAP participant eligibility, or “allow all hot foods to be included for purchase.”

Current legislation does not allow the purchase of hot prepared foods, only allowing cooled but cooked rotisserie chicken to be purchased.

“America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” Fetterman said in the statement. “It’s one of my family’s favorites and I’m proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try. SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation’s families who need it.”

Sens. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joined Fetterman in backing the amendment.

“Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken is a simple, practical step to make the program work better for the people it serves,” Capito said in a similar statement. “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.”

Justice said allowing SNAP recipients to buy hot rotisserie chicken is “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.”

“It’s plain common sense: a hot rotisserie chicken is a healthy, easy meal for busy families,” he wrote on the social platform X. “Folks on SNAP should be able to grab one on the go.”

The amendment is a companion to a farm bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) that received bipartisan support. The aspect of the bill to allow the purchase of hot rotisserie chicken was withdrawn.

Crawford said in March that Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) submitted a waiver to extend the program to cover hot rotisserie chicken, according to a statement from the National Chicken Council.

“Hot rotisserie chicken is healthy, widely available, popular in grocery stores, and aligns with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans promoting nutrient-dense protein,” Crawford said in the statement.

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