Vasquez Leads Bipartisan Bill to Make SNAP Work for Hardworking New Mexicans by Covering Hot Chicken

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 21, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the bipartisan HOT Rotisserie Chicken Act, a commonsense bill that would allow the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to cover hot rotisserie chicken purchases. For about $6, one store-purchased chicken can feed a family of four, providing an affordable, convenient, healthy meal for the 460,000 New Mexicans who rely on SNAP. 

Under the current SNAP rules, a family can currently purchase uncooked or frozen chicken products, but ready-to-eat rotisserie chickens are prohibited. 

“We should expand options for SNAP recipients to purchase practical food items that are healthy and readily available. Rotisserie chicken is one such option, and it's an excellent source of protein for a family,” said Vasquez. “I look forward to continuing to expand these options for New Mexico's working families to ensure they can more realistically and easily put nutritious food on their tables.”

Rep. Vasquez has repeatedly fought to protect hardworking New Mexican families’ access to food assistance benefits: 

• Vasquez is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Hot Foods Act to modernize the SNAP program and expand food access by allowing individuals to purchase hot, ready-to-eat meals, such as rotisserie chickens, offering greater flexibility, nutritional value, and dignity to individuals and families at the grocery store.
• Last year, Vasquez forcefully defended the SNAP program during a House Agriculture Committee hearing, warning that Republican efforts to slash $230 billion from the program would devastate rural communities across New Mexico and the country.
• In early July 2025, Republicans chose to slash $180 billion from SNAP benefits under their new tax law – the biggest cut to food assistance in American history – in order to give massive tax breaks to billionaires. As a result, over 175,000 New Mexicans were put at risk of losing the ability to afford the groceries they need to feed themselves and their families. The majority of people receiving SNAP are children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Rep. Vasquez voted against the Republican tax law.
• Following the cuts made to SNAP funding under the Republican tax law, Vasquez met with constituents across the district about their concerns over losing food assistance benefits. This included helping pack meals for seniors at Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center, which is funded by Southeast NM Community Action Corp (SNMCAC) in Carlsbad.
• Since coming to Congress, Vasquez has stood up for food assistance throughout the ongoing farm bill negotiations.

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