The Trump administration is playing politics with people’s basic needs by claiming there is no funding for November SNAP benefits.
As the federal government lurches toward a second month of shutdown, SNAP is dominating the headlines. In a moment marked by fear, confusion and misinformation, the Trump administration and Republican leaders in Congress are offering plenty of inflammatory rhetoric—but little real problem-solving.
Over the weekend, USDA posted the following banner on its website:
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 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. 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.”
First, this appears to be a blatant violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for political purposes—including partisan statements like this.
Second, the Republicans in this Congress and administration are the first in decades to dismantle the longstanding bipartisan support for SNAP. The USDA seems to have conveniently forgotten that just months ago, the Republican-led Congress took an axe to the program, enacting the largest cuts in its history. As if that weren’t enough, they shifted millions of dollars in costs to the states—so much so that several have already warned they may be forced to eliminate the program altogether.
This is no small slip. And yes, I’m looking at you, Russell Vought.
Even suggesting that Republicans are protecting this program while Democrats are trying to destroy it is like an abuser blaming his victim for getting in the way of his fist.
Just as importantly, USDA’s banner (and their rhetoric and their policy positions) are all riddled with lies. Let’s be clear: SNAP is a federal entitlement program, and providing funds to keep benefits flowing is not optional for the administration. There are billions in contingency funds already allocated for SNAP by Congress for precisely this purpose. While the contingency funding will not fully cover November SNAP benefits, it will surely help those who are struggling.
The Trump administration is playing politics with people’s basic needs by claiming there is no funding for November SNAP benefits. The truth is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has complete control over the contingency fund for SNAP, and they can and must deploy it immediately.
Finally, the “blame game” being played by Speaker Johnson and those in the Trump administration is as unproductive as it is childish. He’s the damn leader of the House—he has the power to bring others to the negotiating table, just as Senate Majority Leader Thune does. Why won’t they? While they posture and insult their colleagues, literally millions more Americans are being thrust into hunger.
This reckless shutdown isn’t only devastating for SNAP recipients. It also means added stress and confusion for millions of mothers and babies who utilize WIC. It means more pressure on furloughed federal employees, who have no paycheck, and face threats that they won’t be issued back pay. It also means more stress on active-duty servicemembers and their families, many of whom were struggling with food insecurity before the shutdown. And now, when SNAP benefits expire on Nov. 1, it will mean creating a nation of breadlines and soup kitchens for those Republicans claim to hold in the highest regard.
The time has come to stop playing politics with people’s lives and futures. Those in the majority in Congress and in the White House must step up and do their jobs regardless of politics. They must stop punishing those facing hunger and eschewing the values they swore to uphold. They must immediately end this reckless government shutdown, protect the federal funding process from presidential overreach, and pass a budget that protects all Americans.
