Congressman Harris Leads Effort to Protect SNAP from Retailer Fraud
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) led a group of his House Republican colleagues in a letter to Acting Administrator Shiela Corley urging the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize experience, specialized personnel, advanced technology, and proven results as it selects a contractor to investigate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer fraud.
“SNAP is a vital lifeline for millions of Americans, and every dollar should help a family put food on the table, not benefit those who exploit the program,” said Congressman Harris. “With SNAP retailers processing approximately $236 million in taxpayer-funded transactions every day, we have a responsibility to ensure those dollars reach the people who need them most.
“I applaud the Trump Administration and Secretary Rollins for their aggressive work to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP. As the FNA and USDA move forward with this important contract, we are urging the agency to build on that work by selecting a contractor best equipped to hold bad actors accountable and protect taxpayer-funded benefits for the people they are intended to serve.”
Congressman Harris was joined in sending the letter by Representatives Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Mary Miller (IL-15), Keith Self (TX-03), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Randy Fine (FL-06), Ralph Norman (SC-05), and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03).
“Hard-working taxpayers deserve to know their dollars are feeding families who truly need help, not lining the pockets of bad actors gaming the system. With USDA estimating over $3 billion lost to waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP annually, FNA cannot afford to get this contract wrong. I'm proud to join Congressman Mark Harris in calling on USDA to select a contractor with the expertise, technology, and accountability needed to root out fraud and protect the integrity of SNAP for the families who depend on it,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01).
“More than $3 billion in taxpayer dollars is lost to SNAP waste, fraud, and abuse every year. We need aggressive oversight and zero tolerance for anyone exploiting this program. I have full confidence that the USDA under Secretary Rollins will put an end to the abuse,” said Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15).
“For far too long, millions of taxpayer dollars have been lost to welfare fraud. Programs like SNAP were created to help our most vulnerable, not to be exploited by those gaming the system. President Trump and the American people have made it clear that rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse is a top priority. Every taxpayer dollar should be protected and used for its intended purpose, and I fully support every effort to ensure it is,” said Congressman Wesley Hunt (TX-38).
“I’m proud to stand with Congressman Harris and our colleagues to protect the integrity of the SNAP program. We must crack down on retailer fraud and ensure taxpayer dollars go to feeding American families — not to bad actors gaming the system. This is about accountability, and I’m glad we’re fighting for it together,” said Congressman Randy Fine (FL-06).
“Just recently, a South Carolina woman was accused of stealing more than $76,500 in SNAP benefits from hardworking taxpayers. With our nation facing more than $39 trillion in debt and counting, we cannot continue allowing fraudsters to exploit federal programs. I commend the Trump Administration’s ongoing nationwide efforts to crack down on these illegal activities, and I urge the Department of Agriculture to take a hard look at this critical program to strengthen oversight and ensure the integrity of SNAP remains protected,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05).
“I was raised by a single mother and grew up in abject rural poverty. My family relied on food stamps, so I know firsthand how important SNAP is for families who truly need it. Organized SNAP fraud steals resources from the people who truly need them and undermines confidence in a critical program. I'm proud to join this effort to hold bad actors accountable, and ensure these benefits reach the American families they're intended to serve,” said Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03).
Key excerpts from the letter include:
“SNAP fraud is not a new problem, but it remains a persistent and costly one. In 2025, USDA estimated that over $3 billion per year is being lost to waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP.”
“We also suggest centralizing this critical work under a singular contract rather than dividing SNAP retailer investigation duties between several unique entities to help reduce inefficiencies, maintain adequate oversight, and maximize the impact of the work being done.”
“We feel strongly that SNAP benefits should go to Americans in need, not to bad actors exploiting a program intended to feed the most vulnerable among us.”
BACKGROUND:
- On June 10, 2026, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration issued a solicitation seeking a contractor to provide SNAP Retailer Investigations Services.
- More than 37 million individuals and families redeem SNAP benefits at stores nationwide each month.
- SNAP-authorized retailers process more than $90 billion in taxpayer-funded transactions annually, or approximately $236 million each day.
- In May 2025, based on SNAP eligibility data received by 29 states, USDA estimated that at least $3 billion per year was being lost to potential waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP.
Read the full text of the letter here.
Read the Washington Reporter’s exclusive coverage of the letter [here].
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