Senate Republicans strike down Democratic proposal to fully fund Snap | US Senate
Senate Republicans on Monday rejected a Democratic-led attempt to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) benefits during a government shutdown, a move that increases uncertainty for the 42 million Americans participating in the nation’s largest hunger-relief program.
Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator, and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, attempted to pass a resolution by unanimous consent that would have forced the Department of Agriculture to fund Snap benefits for the month of November.
But Republican senators opposed it, with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso arguing that a solution to securing those benefits lies in reopening the government.
“This is not a law. This is a political stunt by the Democrats. The resolution they are proposing is meaningless,” Barrasso said. “The Democrats knew their actions threatened food aid. They were fully aware of that.”
The move comes after the administration announced it would use money from an Agriculture Department contingency fund to revive Snap food benefits, but that money would only provide partial relief. The administration said there is only $4.65 billion available in that fund to pay for Snap benefits, which would cover only about half of the $8 billion in food assistance people receive each month.
“Trump is using food as a weapon against children, families and seniors to implement his ‘make Americans hungry’ agenda,” Merkley said in a statement.
“This is incredibly cruel, but Trump cares more about playing politics than making sure children don’t starve. Children and families are not poker chips or hostages. Trump must release all Snap funds immediately.”
The decrease in funds comes as Senate Republican leaders continue their attempts to pass a bill to reopen the government, with 13 attempts so far and no clear resolution in sight.
Food banks and pantries across the country are already struggling with cuts to federal programs, scrambling to meet increased demand driven by federal workers who weren’t paid during the shutdown.
If the shutdown continues after Tuesday, it will be the longest in history. The previous record was set in 2019, during Trump’s first term, when he demanded that Congress give him the funds to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
