Host of our monthly advocacy calls Andrew Wisniewski put together these helpful summaries of what is likely to happen next on the food access front for all levels of government, and how Share has been and will be involved in moving food access policies forward.

City Council

Philadelphia City Council has four remaining scheduled legislative sessions in 2026: November 12, November 19, December 3, and December 10. During this period, Council is expected to continue holding committee hearings and advancing pending legislation, with an emphasis on completing legislative priorities before the winter recess. The final scheduled session on December 10 will be the last regular opportunity for Council to pass legislation before the new year.

Council is expected to resume regular legislative activity in January, with outstanding bills and new legislative priorities continuing into the next calendar year. This is of particular importance for Council President’s slate of food access legislation, which will continue to progress through the legislative process well into next year. 

The possibility of a Mid-Year Transfer is still being debated between Council and the Administration. Share has its transfer request lodged with the Council President, so we are in a favorable position to receive funding should the Mid-Year Transfer progress. This ask will be supplemented by support from other Councilmembers.

Other legislators will continued to be engaged with as the need arises, and committee activity and legislation of interest will continue to be monitored through the remainder of the year.

PA State Government

The General Assembly is currently concluding their legislative session, often referred to as Sine Die. The conclusion of the legislative session means that all outstanding bills will have to be reintroduced in January and progress through the legislative process again over the course of the two-year session.  

There are only two session days remaining following the midterm election. These days will be devoted to the reorganization of the General Assembly. The reorganization of leadership, committee chairs, and delegation chairs will begin in November with the changes finalized in January. There are expected changes forthcoming to House leadership, the Philadelphia Delegation, and House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. We will be tracking all reorganization and legislative developments here.

Federal Government

Farm Bill

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, with the return of Mitch McConnell to the Committee, advanced the Senate iteration of the Farm Bill on September 16, 2026. The vote fell on party lines 12-11.

The Farm Bill would delay the onset of state SNAP benefit cost-sharing by one year. Senate Democrats have refused to vote for the bill unless it includes a two-year delay in the cost-sharing.

In order for the Farm Bill to advance on a floor vote in the Senate, and avoid a potential filibuster, seven Democrats would need to vote with their Republican colleagues in favor of the bill.

Both the House and the Senate return to session the week following the midterm election. Since Democrats gained a majority in both chambers, action on the Farm Bill will likely be delayed until next year and the two-year cost-shift delay will be implemented.

Federal Budget Timeline

The current Continuing Resolution was passed on September 1, 2026 and provides funding through December 11, 2026. In order to avoid a government shutdown, Congress will need to pass additional legislation to keep the government funded. A provision delaying both SNAP cost shifts could be included in that funding package or another year-end legislative agreement. 

The decision to include a SNAP cost-sharing extension in an appropriations package would be made by House and Senate leadership. This negotiation would also extend to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, specifically the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittees.