Lawmakers From Both Parties Push Bills to Keep SNAP and WIC Running Amid Government Shutdown
Multiple bills to keep federal food assistance programs running during the ongoing government shutdown including separate proposals from Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have been introduced as millions of low-income Americans prepare for a lapse in benefits starting this weekend.
Democrats on Wednesday introduced new legislation to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) through next month. The bill, led by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and supported by all Senate Democrats, would require the Trump administration to use contingency funds to pay for both programs after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that SNAP benefits would stop on Nov. 1 unless the government reopens.
The proposed measure would prevent what could be the first halt in SNAP benefits in modern history. The program helps more than 41 million Americans afford groceries each month.
‘Now We Know Why He Needed an MRI’: Trump’s Bizarre Two-Word Truth Social Post Baffles The Internet
The Democratic bill quickly failed to advance when Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) blocked an effort to fast-track it, saying he opposed passing separate funding bills for specific programs and instead wanted to reopen the government in full.
Meanwhile, a group of Senate Republicans led by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a competing bill to fund SNAP during the shutdown. Hawley’s proposal has the backing of ten other Republican senators, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats would support it if it comes up for a vote.
At a press conference, Schumer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said there are enough votes to pass Hawley’s bill if it reaches the Senate floor. Thune, however, has not indicated that he will allow that to happen, calling the Democratic bill a political move meant to deflect blame for the shutdown.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week that President Trump supports Hawley’s proposal but did not say whether the administration would use other funds, such as tariff revenue, to keep SNAP operating. The administration previously used those funds to continue WIC payments at the start of the shutdown.
Funding for WIC, which provides nutrition assistance to women, infants, and children, is also expected to run out soon if the shutdown continues. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) has introduced a House bill to keep WIC funded, but the House has been out of session for weeks under Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
While traveling in Asia, President Trump blamed Democrats for the stalled negotiations, accusing them of refusing to vote to reopen the government.
Wednesday marked Day 29 of the shutdown. Democrats are pushing for changes to address what they call a health care crisis and want to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the year. Republicans say Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before discussing other policy issues.
SNAP has become a major flashpoint in the ongoing standoff. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and other Republicans argue that the administration cannot legally use contingency funds to keep benefits going. Democrats say the opposite, pointing out that the Trump administration continued payments during the last government shutdown.
Sen. Luján said the administration has the authority and funds to ensure families don’t lose access to food benefits, adding that no one should go hungry because of political gridlock.
- Lawmakers From Both Parties Push Bills to Keep SNAP and WIC Running Amid Government Shutdown
- llinois Democrat Who Was Assaulted by ICE Hit With Federal Charges Over Chicago Protest
- Judge Disqualifies Trump-Appointed LA Prosecutor Over Serious Federal Law Violation
- RFK Jr.’s Top Vaccine Adviser Says He Answers to No One, Calls for “Scientific Integrity” in Vaccine Policy
- I’m Not Allowed, It’s Too Bad’: Trump Concedes He Can’t Run for Third Term
