Oregon and Pennsylvania senators push for SNAP cybersecurity upgrades | Regional
Oregon and Pennsylvania senators push for SNAP cybersecurity upgrades | Regional
Publish Date: 2026-02-26 19:30:00
Source Domain: www.kdrv.com
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Bill Cassidy, and John Fetterman have introduced the bipartisan Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act. According to the Senate, this legislation aims to improve the security of electronic SNAP benefit cards amidst increasing theft by hackers and scammers.The bill mandates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update regulations requiring SNAP cards to feature anti-fraud technology. This includes chip-enabled cards to replace easily cloned magnetic stripe cards. States are expected to issue these updated cards within two years of the new regulations.Wyden highlighted the need for secure technology, saying, “Cybersecurity shouldn’t depend on income or zip code.” Fetterman emphasized SNAP’s importance to Pennsylvanians and stressed protection from criminals.The legislation is also supported by the Oregon Food Bank, National Grocers Association, and others. Stephanie Johnson of the National Grocers Association said, “This legislation takes important steps to strengthen program integrity by directly addressing EBT skimming.”The bill is expected to help protect SNAP benefits from fraud and ensure that food assistance reaches those in need.*AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how NewsWatch 12 uses AI*