U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Calls on Trump Administration to Fund SNAP

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison has joined nearly every Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives in calling for the Trump Administration to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown. 

The Trump Administration has the authority to ensure SNAP benefits continue during the shutdown, and the ability to fully fund SNAP in November through the contingency fund and their legal transfer authority. 

But now, they have walked back their own previously published plan, deleted it from the internet, and are choosing to cut benefits for 42 million Americans, taking critical food assistance away from tens of millions of Americans, including nearly half a million Minnesotans.

“The Trump Administration previously said – and knows – it could fund SNAP in a shutdown. But the President and his Republican majority are refusing to do so. The cruelty is unconscionable.  I’m in DC pushing for bipartisan negotiations – and I call on my Republican colleagues to work with us to reopen the government and address this crisis,” said Congresswoman Morrison.

The Trump Administration’s decision to cut food assistance for tens of millions of Americans comes after they passed the single largest cut to SNAP in our nation’s history earlier this summer. Through their “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the Republican majority in Congress cut food assistance by nearly $200 billion to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

While Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has refused to bring the U.S. House of Representatives back into session for more than five weeks, Representative Morrison is pushing for bipartisan negotiations to end the government shutdown and ensure SNAP benefits and health care are protected for millions of Americans.

Dear Madam Secretary, 

Right now, millions of Americans are struggling to afford food due to the Administration’s ill-conceived trade war. Just this year, we’ve seen household staples like eggs, coffee, and ground beef hit record high prices. Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not. Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month.  

A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country. As the largest food assistance program in the United States, SNAP serves 42 million people. That includes 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. 

That is why we were deeply concerned to see your comments suggesting that SNAP will run out of funding in two weeks and that no SNAP benefits will be issued in November. USDA’s shutdown plan acknowledges that “Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds...” USDA still has significant funding available in SNAP’s contingency reserve – which Congress provides precisely for this reason – that can be used to fund the bulk of November benefits. 

We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits. 

There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people. We appreciate your consideration of these requests.