NANA, ACOFP Coalition Urges Senate to Reject S. 5526 Over SNAP Cuts

TL;DR: A nutrition advocacy coalition led by NANA, joined by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), sent a letter dated October 23, 2026, urging the Senate to reject S. 5526, the Agricultural Act of 2026. The coalition cites SNAP benefit reductions, cost-shifting to states, eligibility restrictions, and a Food and Nutrition Service reorganization.

Key takeaway

The coalition asked the Senate to reject S. 5526 outright, not amend it, citing SNAP cuts, state cost-shifting, and an FNS reorganization.

What happened

NANA, a coalition of public health, nutrition, and policy organizations, joined by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), sent a letter to the Senate in October 2026 urging rejection of S. 5526, the Agricultural Act of 2026. The letter is dated October 23, 2026.

The coalition raised several objections to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions in the bill. These include further weakening of SNAP through benefit reductions, provisions that would shift SNAP program costs to states, and new eligibility restrictions. The coalition framed these changes as coming on top of SNAP changes already made in 2025 reconciliation.

The letter also names a proposed reorganization of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) as a separate objection. The coalition warned that relocating FNS functions to regional hubs could disrupt 16 federal nutrition programs at the same time states are implementing major SNAP changes.

S. 5526 is the Senate's competing nutrition and agriculture draft. It is separate from the House bill, H.R. 7567. Readers tracking the Senate measure can follow its progress on our Senate status page, and compare the two chambers' work through the full bill summary.

What it means

The letter adds organized nutrition-community opposition to S. 5526 ahead of post-midterm floor time. The coalition is urging the Senate to reject the bill outright, not to amend it, which is a stronger position than seeking changes through amendments.

For the people affected, the coalition's objections group into three concrete areas:

• Benefit reductions: The coalition says the bill would further cut SNAP benefit levels for recipients.
• Cost-shifting to states: Provisions would move a share of SNAP program costs from the federal government to states, which could pressure state budgets and future benefit decisions.
• Eligibility restrictions: New rules could narrow who qualifies for SNAP.
• FNS reorganization: Moving FNS functions to regional hubs could disrupt administration of 16 federal nutrition programs during a period of major SNAP change.

SNAP recipients, state agencies that administer benefits, and the nutrition programs housed at FNS are the groups most directly affected by these provisions. Our funding breakdown explains how nutrition spending compares across the House and Senate drafts, and the what's new vs. 2018 page tracks how the current proposals differ from the 2018 Farm Bill baseline.

What's next

As of October 24, 2026, the letter is a public statement of opposition, not a vote. The Senate is expected to have floor time after its return on November 9, 2026, which is when the coalition's position is likely to matter most.

Whether S. 5526 advances, is amended, or stalls will depend on Senate floor scheduling and the balance of support after the midterms. The coalition's call to reject rather than amend signals it does not view the SNAP and FNS provisions as fixable through the amendment process.

Readers can monitor Senate action and vote counts on our vote tracker and follow the broader schedule on the timeline and status page. Advocates and constituents who want to weigh in can reach lawmakers through our contact Congress resource.

Frequently asked questions

What is S. 5526?

S. 5526 is the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's competing agriculture and nutrition bill. It is separate from the House bill, H.R. 7567. The NANA and ACOFP coalition letter, dated October 23, 2026, specifically targets S. 5526 and urges the Senate to reject it over SNAP and Food and Nutrition Service provisions.

Why does the coalition want the Senate to reject S. 5526?

The coalition objects to provisions that it says further weaken SNAP through benefit reductions, shift SNAP program costs to states, and impose new eligibility restrictions. It also opposes a proposed reorganization of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. The coalition is urging the Senate to reject the bill outright rather than to amend it.

Who are NANA and ACOFP?

NANA is a coalition of public health, nutrition, and policy organizations. ACOFP is the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, which joined the NANA letter. Together they sent the October 23, 2026, letter to the Senate urging rejection of S. 5526, the Agricultural Act of 2026, over its SNAP and nutrition provisions.

How would S. 5526 change SNAP according to the coalition?

According to the coalition, S. 5526 would reduce SNAP benefits, shift a share of SNAP program costs from the federal government to states, and add new eligibility restrictions. The coalition says these changes would come on top of SNAP changes already made in 2025 reconciliation, further weakening the program.

What is the Food and Nutrition Service reorganization concern?

The coalition objects to a proposed reorganization of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). It warned that relocating FNS functions to regional hubs could disrupt 16 federal nutrition programs at the same time states are implementing major SNAP changes. This FNS reorganization is listed as a separate objection from the SNAP benefit and eligibility concerns.

When will the Senate act on S. 5526?

As of October 24, 2026, no Senate floor vote on S. 5526 has been scheduled in these notes. The Senate is expected to have floor time after its return on November 9, 2026. The coalition sent its letter ahead of that post-midterm window to register organized nutrition-community opposition before any floor action.

Sources

• ACOFP , NANA/ACOFP coalition letter urging the Senate to reject S. 5526, dated 2026-10-23.