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By Suzanne Blake
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A group of Democratic lawmakers is pushing to expand access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as part of a broader effort to support working mothers and strengthen what they call the nation's "Mom Economy.”
“The Mom Economy Resolution is about building an economy that works for working moms and their families. It calls on Congress to advance commonsense policies that make childcare more affordable, expand the Child Tax Credit, protect SNAP, raise the minimum wage, and guarantee paid leave,” Representative Grace Meng of New York told Newsweek in a statement.
“As a mother of two boys, I know firsthand that it takes a village to give children the support and opportunities they deserve while parents are working full time. Yet women still earn just 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, even though many women are the primary—or sole—breadwinners for their families. That must change.”
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First lady Melania Trump has talked about the importance of supporting mothers in the labor force, warning that a failure to do so could reduce the number of doctors, engineers, bankers and lawyers available to the U.S. economy.
“Let’s champion a new American model that restores the honor of motherhood by encouraging all women to lead boldly at work while also making family the cornerstone of our national future,” Trump wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post. “I invite you to join me in prioritizing family as we shape a stronger America for the generations to come.”
Now with Meng’s Mom Economy Resolution in the House and matching legislation in the Senate as a joint resolution, several policies could be on the table for improving economic conditions for mothers, including expanded nutrition assistance via SNAP.
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Why It Matters
Mothers play a critical role in the labor market and in family finances.
According to the resolution, mothers' labor force participation rate is 73.9 percent, compared with 93.7 percent for fathers.
Still, nearly 45 percent of mothers contribute at least half of household income while mothers remain disproportionately responsible for caregiving and household work.
Lack of paid leave and affordable childcare can often push women out of the workforce after having children. Three out of 10 women without access to paid leave exit the workforce after giving birth, according to lawmakers.
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Which Legislators Support Increased SNAP Benefits?
The House resolution, introduced by Meng, is co-sponsored by Democrats Judy Chu of California, Yvette Clarke of New York and Frederica Wilson of Florida.
The Senate version was introduced by Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and co-sponsored by Ron Wyden of Oregon, both Democrats.
The law specifically would strengthen support systems for working mothers through investments in childcare, paid leave, tax credits and food assistance programs.
“It says Congress should support a broader ‘Mom Economy; by investing in childcare, paid leave and caregiving. While also boosting SNAP’s minimum and maximum benefits while removing barriers such as time limits and additional work requirements,” Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek.
“The thinking is that mothers are often balancing food costs, childcare and unpaid caregiving. A stronger safety net could help families stay financially stable and make it easier for parents to remain in the workforce.”
What the Resolutions Say About SNAP
The resolution includes a call to expand access to SNAP and school meal programs.
The idea is that strengthening nutrition assistance could help reduce financial pressures on families and support mothers who are balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
“Childcare costs are one of, if not the biggest, mitigating factors for many families and can push mothers out of the workforce and into a more traditional style of parenting, where the mother stays home to rear the children while the father makes money for the family,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
“In today’s economy, it is becoming much harder to live on a single income, and this is becoming an issue where tough decisions need to be made.”
The resolution would not directly change SNAP benefits or eligibility rules, but it would indicate congressional support for a number of policy goals, including nutrition assistance.
The resolution also endorses the following policies:
- Paid family and medical leave
- Expanded childcare access
- Increased Head Start funding
- A permanent child tax credit
- Improvements to the earned income tax credit
- Maternal health care investments
- Raising the federal minimum wage
- Expanded SNAP and school meal access
“If the policies it presents eventually become law, families could see expanded childcare assistance, paid family leave, and greater tax benefits, but Americans shouldn't expect those changes simply because this resolution passes,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek.
“At this point, in the resolution stage, it would be more of an acknowledgement of reform than a direct push for it.”
What Happens Next
The House resolution was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce, while the companion Senate version was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions after being introduced on September 24.
If passed, the joint resolution would not directly increase SNAP benefits, but there could likely be future legislation to expand nutrition assistance and other support programs for working mothers.
“If it passes, it could open the door to broader debates on these individual benefits, but it's difficult to say just how much traction each will gain,” Beene said. “Making parenting more affordable has been an object for both parties, but deciding how to tackle it while also not adding to the deficit has made a concrete plan elusive.”
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jenni Fink and Dave Siminoff.
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