The proposed Iowa SNAP bill would restrict recipients from buying meat, white bread, and American cheese.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The bill, proposed by GOP lawmakers in Iowa, would add further restrictions on the state’s SNAP benefits, limiting what recipients can buy.

SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income families buy healthy food.

The proposed bill would make it impossible for recipients to buy everyday staples, including white rice, rice noodles, canned vegetables, baked beans, fried beans, green beans and even butter.

The law will also affect the ability of SNAP recipients to buy meat. Canned tuna and salmon will be the only meat purchases allowed. This is despite the fact that meat and poultry are the top spending items for SNAP households, according to the USDA.

Sliced, diced, or crumbled cheese will also be banned.

The bill is awaiting consideration by a subcommittee of the House of Representatives. It is currently sponsored by 39 Republican legislators.

GOP leaders say money spent on SNAP could be used elsewhere, while Democratic leaders condemn the bill for restricting access to key items that benefit the health of low-income households.

“This bill will limit the ability of SNAP members to make their own food choices, take away food from Iowans, and exacerbate hunger and food insecurity in our state,” the Iowa Hungry Coalition said in a statement last Friday in response to the GOP-backed proposal.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.