A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the promulgation of cybersecurity and digital service regulations relating to the use of EBT cards under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.

Senate Bill

S. 3949

119th Congress

A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the promulgation of cybersecurity and digital service regulations relating to the use of EBT cards under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 26, 2026

Primary Sponsor

Ron Wyden

D - OR

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Summary

This bill would require new cybersecurity protections for EBT cards used by millions of Americans in the SNAP food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps). Senator Wyden's legislation aims to prevent fraud and theft by establishing stronger digital security standards for the cards that deliver food benefits to low-income families.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Introduced2/26/2026

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

ChamberSenate

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Vote Prediction

A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the promulgation of cybersecurity and digital service regulations relating to the use of EBT cards under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.

This bill would require new cybersecurity protections for EBT cards used by millions of Americans in the SNAP food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps). Senator Wyden's legislation aims to prevent fraud and theft by establishing stronger digital

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill would require new cybersecurity protections for EBT cards used by millions of Americans in the SNAP food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps). Senator Wyden's legislation aims to prevent fraud and theft by establishing stronger digital security standards for the cards that deliver food benefits to low-income families.

Bill Number: 3949
Introduced: 2/26/2026
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the promulgation of cybersecurity and digital service regulations relating to the use of EBT cards under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.
Bill Number: 3949
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced: 2/26/2026
Summary: This bill would require new cybersecurity protections for EBT cards used by millions of Americans in the SNAP food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps). Senator Wyden's legislation aims to prevent fraud and theft by establishing stronger digital security standards for the cards that de

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would require new cybersecurity protections for EBT cards used by millions of Americans in the SNAP food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps). Senator Wyden's legislation aims to prevent fraud and theft by establishing stronger digital security standards for the cards that deliver food benefits to low-income families.

Last updated: 2/28/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Mandates new cybersecurity regulations to protect EBT cards from hacking, skimming, and other digital fraud that can steal food benefits
Requires improved digital services for SNAP recipients to better manage and protect their benefits electronically
Addresses growing concerns about benefit theft that leaves vulnerable families without food assistance until replacements are issued
Would establish federal standards to ensure consistent security protections across all states administering SNAP benefits

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would directly affect approximately 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits delivered through EBT cards. By strengthening cybersecurity requirements, the legislation aims to protect low-income families from benefit theft that has increasingly targeted these cards through sophisticated skimming devices and digital fraud schemes. States would need to implement enhanced security measures, potentially including chip technology, better fraud detection systems, and improved mobile app protections for benefit management.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3949, 119th Congress (2026). "A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the promulgation of cybersecurity and digital service regulations relating to the use of EBT cards under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-3949

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