‘I Do NOT Want Americans to Go Hungry’ — Seeks Way to Pay SNAP, Gives Out Schumer’s Number
President Donald Trump said Friday he has directed government lawyers to immediately seek court advice on how to legally continue payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing government shutdown, as the program faces looming funding delays as Democrats refuse to pass a clean spending bill.
“Our government’s lawyers don’t believe we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with some of the money we have, and now two courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump said. wrote on Social Truth. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”
The president explained that he had asked lawyers “to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible,” warning that even with an immediate resolution, benefits could be delayed while states process payments. “If the Court gives us the appropriate legal guidance,” Trump said, “it will be MY HONOR to provide the funding, just as I have done for military and law enforcement pay.” »
A few days ago, Vice President JD Vance confirmed that US troops would continue to receive their salaries during the shutdown, following a $130 million private operation donation accepted by the Ministry of War to cover military salaries.
The message follows warnings that the Democratic-led shutdown could stop November SNAP payments. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) note Thursday was Democrats’ “15th chance” to reopen the government, warning that their continued opposition to a clean, continuing resolution would lead to a “drying up” of benefits.
The United States Department of Agriculture previously warned that it does not have sufficient funds to issue November benefits, with a $5 billion contingency reserve that falls short of the $8 billion needed to support the program. Several governors, including Glenn Youngkin (R) of Virginia, have declared a state of emergency in the face of this looming emergency.
THE Washington Post editorial board this week in default Democrats for extending the shutdown, writing that it is “untrue that Democrats have held the government hostage” over demands to extend Obamacare subsidies. The newspaper warns that if the impasse persists, “families could start to go hungry.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and his fellow Democrats, including Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) argued that Trump could use emergency funds to pursue SNAP, saying he has “billions” but is “choosing not to use them.” Representative Andy Kim (D-New Jersey) accused Republicans of refusing to negotiate, declaring that “Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House” and should “bring the House back into session to work and negotiate for the people they claim to serve.”
Trump rejected this characterization in his Truth Social message on Friday: “Democrats should stop this charade of hurting people for their own political reasons, and REOPEN GOVERNMENT immediately.” »
He ended his message by urging Americans who rely on SNAP to pressure Democrats directly: “Call Senate Democrats and tell them to reopen the government, NOW! Here’s the number for Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s office: (202) 224-6542.”
