Who didn't see this coming? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has kept the government shut down for 25 days, with air traffic controllers, Department of Health and Human Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and non-essential federal workers already missing their paychecks. This late in the game, government benefit programs will now be affected. One of the first in line: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
If the shutdown is not resolved, recipients of the program will see a cessation of their benefits starting November 1. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture memo, they will not be using the $6 billion contingency fund to make up for that deficit, as that fund is meant to cover disasters and true emergencies.
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Cue the hue, cry, and headlines: Trump is focused on building his ballroom, while single mothers and the poor are hardest hit. One legacy news outlet has already gone there.
The US Department of Agriculture says it will not tap into its $6 billion contingency fund to cover food stamp benefits next month if the shutdown continues, according to an agency memo obtained by CNN. That means that roughly 42 million Americans will not receive critical food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in November, unless the agency shifts its position.
However, when asked whether he would direct USDA to fund food stamps next month, President Donald Trump told reporters late Friday, “Yeah, everybody is going to be in good shape, yep.” The president did not provide specific details.
Trump’s comments appear to conflict with the agency’s memo, which stated that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.”
“SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits,” the memo says. “The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists.”
At least another legacy outlet bothered to mention that the Democrats are the reason the government remains shut down. It is also the Democrats who have upped the ante. They are holding Americans hostage for those 22 million people who will supposedly suffer if they don't receive those Affordable Care Act subsidies, yet now they want 42 million food assistance recipients to also bear the brunt. It makes no logical sense, but this is the Democrat Party we're talking about.
Whatever the case, it paints a grim picture.
The big picture: Now in its 24th day, the shutdown threatens to take a real toll not just on federal workers who are going without paychecks, but also many of the nation's neediest citizens.
The SNAP freeze could kick in as an increasing number of Americans are going hungry and relying on food banks as the economy cools.
Senate Democrats essentially shut down the government by demanding that the Republicans who control Congress extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Without the subsidies, health care costs could soar for 22 million Americans on ACA plans.
Now the shutdown could pit the needs of those 22 million ACA enrollees against those of the 42 million who could go without food assistance starting Nov. 1.
But ultimately, it's still Trump's fault, and he better fix it... or what? We already have anti-ICE protests and "No Kings" protests. Are those affected families going to now mount a SNAP protest? It's not beyond the realm of possibility.
What they're saying: The liberal group Center for American Progress released an analysis Thursday that argued Trump has a legal obligation to continue funding SNAP, and accused him of cruelty.
"From terminating funding used to purchase food for schools and food banks to passing the largest cuts in SNAP history, the administration has made it clear that its goal is to take food away from hungry families — and that sentiment is extending to the USDA's approach to the shutdown," it wrote.
Friction point: The group said Trump should move money around the budget to pay for SNAP just as he did with WIC, but the USDA OMB said more transfers to WIC will be needed.
"This administration will not allow Democrats to jeopardize funding for school meals and infant formula in order to prolong their shutdown," the USDA memo said.
According to reports, the USDA memo also asserts that should the government remain shut down, states that choose to cover SNAP benefits will not be reimbursed. So, should November 1 arrive with this reality is in place, the messaging war is going to get even more interesting.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
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