Today, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act to address inequalities in food assistance for Puerto Ricans by allowing Puerto Rico to fully participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Work to allow Puerto Rico to fully participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by supporting and introducing related legislation.
Occurrences
Evidence
On March 2, 2026, U.S. Senators John Fetterman, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Charles E. Schumer introduced the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act to allow Puerto Rico to fully participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Action: Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Luján, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Booker, Mr. Welch, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Bill Version: Introduced in Senate (IS). Short Title: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act.
"I’m proud to support the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act to make USDA nutrition programs more fair and accessible." The office press release says Senators John Fetterman, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Charles E. Schumer introduced the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act to allow Puerto Rico to fully participate in SNAP.
The official GovInfo bill record for S.3958 (Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act) shows the bill was introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2026, lists Senator John Fetterman as a named sponsor, and records the procedural step of being read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The GovInfo entry contains the bill text and formal introduction metadata but does not show further Senate passage or enactment as of May 26, 2026.
Senator Fetterman's Senate office press release (March 2, 2026) states he co‑introduced the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act to enable Puerto Rico to transition to full participation in SNAP and expresses his support for the legislative effort. The release documents the senator's active sponsorship and public advocacy but does not report that the bill was enacted.
Assessments
Senator Fetterman was a named co-sponsor and co‑introducer of S.3958 (Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act) on March 2, 2026 and his office issued a press release confirming his support. The bill was formally read and referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee. While the measure has not been enacted, the campaign promise specified working to allow Puerto Rico to fully participate by supporting and introducing related legislation — an action Fetterman performed during his term.
Fetterman materially acted on the promise during his Senate term by co-introducing and supporting the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act, legislation intended to allow Puerto Rico to fully participate in SNAP. However, the evidence only shows introduction and committee referral, not enactment or actual SNAP participation for Puerto Rico, so the promised policy outcome has not been fully delivered.
Senator Fetterman fulfilled the promise to work towards allowing Puerto Rico to participate in SNAP by co-introducing relevant legislation, but there is no evidence the legislation was enacted. This fulfills the promise to support and introduce legislation but not the ultimate policy outcome.