Summary of Bill S 2717

Title: A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow for deductions of student loan payments from income.

Bill Number: S 2717

Introduced: September 04, 2025

Status: Introduced in Senate

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 2717 aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by allowing individuals to deduct their student loan payments from their income when determining eligibility for nutrition assistance programs. The primary intent of this legislation is to alleviate financial burdens on borrowers and enhance access to nutrition assistance for those who are struggling with both student debt and food insecurity.

Key Provisions

• Income Deductions: The bill proposes that student loan payments be considered as a deductible expense when calculating an individual's income for the purposes of qualifying for benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act.

• Eligibility for Nutrition Assistance: By allowing these deductions, the bill seeks to increase the number of individuals who qualify for nutrition assistance programs, thereby addressing food insecurity among student loan borrowers.

Affected Parties

• Student Loan Borrowers: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be individuals currently repaying student loans who may be facing challenges in meeting their basic nutritional needs.

• Nutrition Assistance Programs: Programs under the Food and Nutrition Act, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), would see changes in eligibility criteria, potentially increasing participation rates.

• Agriculture and Nutrition Stakeholders: Organizations and entities involved in agriculture and nutrition may experience shifts in program funding and resource allocation as a result of increased enrollment in assistance programs.

Legislative Process and Timeline

• Introduced in Senate: The bill was introduced on September 04, 2025, and has been read twice.

• Committee Referral: Following its introduction, S 2717 was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for further consideration.

Sponsors

The bill is sponsored by:
- Primary Sponsor: Peter Welch
- Cosponsors:
- Richard Blumenthal
- Jeanne Shaheen
- Ron Wyden
- Bernie Sanders
- Tammy Duckworth
- Cory Booker
- Kirsten E. Gillibrand
- Alex Padilla

Conclusion

Bill S 2717 represents a significant effort to address the intersection of student debt and food insecurity by modifying eligibility criteria for nutrition assistance programs. By allowing student loan payments to be deducted from income, the bill aims to provide relief to borrowers and ensure that more individuals have access to essential nutrition support. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.