The Department of Agriculture announced Saturday that without congressional intervention, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will shut down with the federal government on Nov. 1.
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program,” the USDA website reads. “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”
“We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats,” the website goes on to read. “They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
Some 42 million people in the United States, a little over 12% of the population, received SNAP benefits last year, with the average federal distribution being $187.20 per month.
At least 25 states plan to pause food stamps next month because of the lack of federal funding. As a result, some states have already mobilized their state resources to address food insecurity in their respective states.
LAWMAKERS SQUIRM AS FOOD STAMPS BECOME NEXT SHUTDOWN FUNDING CLIFF
President Donald Trump is in favor of legislation to extend SNAP benefits beyond the impending deadline, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump has also signaled a readiness to negotiate with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
The statement on the USDA website comes weeks after other federal agencies issued similar warnings on their websites. On the Small Business Administration website, there is a red header warning small businesses about the shutdown. This followed a similar tactic implemented by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
