WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. bishops and Catholic charitable organizations sent a letter to senators asking them to strengthen domestic and international programs designed to alleviate hunger and to prioritize rural development and conservation efforts in the 2026 farm bill.
"Our greatest concern with the current draft is with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our nation's core nutrition program," the bishops said in the letter sent to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The letter was signed by Louisville, Kentucky, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Domestic Justice and Human Development Committee, and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chair of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace.
The bishops cautioned the draft of the farm bill released June 23 by the Senate Agriculture Committee "does not sufficiently strengthen or modernize SNAP." They warned "it shifts focus away from addressing hunger itself and toward additional administrative and compliance requirements."
Specifically, they urged lawmakers to delay a plan to shift costs to the states for two years to "allow states adequate time to plan and fix error rates and would help prevent disruptions in access to nutrition assistance for vulnerable households."
Additionally, they asked Congress to eliminate a restriction on SNAP that bans access to some people with felony convictions. They wrote: "Removing this restriction would better support successful reentry, reduce food insecurity, and promote family stability without compromising program integrity."
The House passed its version of the measure in April. It would reshape U.S. global food aid programs by shifting more resources toward purchasing food closer to crisis regions rather than shipping U.S. commodities overseas.
The bishops urged senators to align with the House version by allowing Puerto Rico to move from the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) to full SNAP participation over a 10-year transition, saying the phased shift would better match benefits to need, strengthen responsiveness during downturns and disasters, and advance parity for U.S. citizens in the territories.
"SNAP remains our nation's most effective and responsive tool to combat hunger, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty, rising food costs, and persistent poverty," the bishops added. "Policies that weaken its reach or add unnecessary barriers ultimately harm low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children who rely on these programs to meet their basic nutritional needs."
Last year, the bishops took issue with SNAP requirements added in the reconciliation bill, which shifted federal government cost to states, raised the work requirement age from 54 to 64, and imposed stricter eligibility verification rules.
Alternatively, the bishops welcomed some farm bill provisions related to SNAP, such as a provision to make online purchasing a permanent option; the reauthorization of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which supports seniors in rural communities; and the inclusion of cost-sharing waivers for counties with high poverty rates.
Leadership of Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Rural Life, and National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul joined the bishops in signing the letter.
The letter states that these organizations, along with the bishops, are united in "our shared commitment to alleviate hunger and urge Congress to pass a farm bill that furthers this goal." They quoted Pope Leo's address from Oct. 16, 2025, related to the World Day of Hunger.
"Hunger … is a cry that rises to heaven and requires a swift response from every nation, every international organization, every regional, local, or private body," Leo said. "No one can remain on the sidelines in the fight against hunger."
Additional priorities
The bishops and other signatories expressed appreciation for continued funding of international food assistance programs, including the Food for Peace, McGovern-Dole Food for Education, Food for Progress, Farmer-to-Farmer, and the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust.
As Congress considers possible changes to how Food for Peace is administered, the bishops declined to take a formal position on potential reforms, so long as "operations continue" without impediment through any transition.
"We recommend maintaining a focus on the most hungry and malnourished places around the world using market-appropriate food aid," they wrote. "We also support efforts to ensure cooperation and consultation between [federal agencies] and other relevant stakeholders as policy changes and award decisions are made to this program going forward."
The bishops also expressed support for the draft bill's inclusion of rural development funding, which they said strengthen health care, new farmers, scholarships, and infrastructure. They similarly told lawmakers they support the draft bill's reauthorization of conservation funds, which include research programs on soil health and technology to prevent and respond to climate change.
"We encourage members to work together to advance nutrition, rural development, and conservation policies that are practical, compassionate, and responsive to current challenges," the bishops wrote.
"We stand ready to work with the committee in a constructive and collaborative manner to ensure that the final farm bill reflects our shared responsibility to protect vulnerable families, support thriving communities, and promote the common good," they added.
