Kelly Backs Bipartisan Efforts to Keep SNAP and WIC Funded During Shutdown

The Trump administration is required by law to use billions in available funding to keep SNAP benefits flowing in November; USDA's own guidance confirmed its authority to use available funds during a shutdown

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is backing bipartisan efforts to ensure Arizonans continue receiving benefits that allow them to put food on the table during the government shutdown.

Kelly is a cosponsor of the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), to prevent the Trump administration from illegally withholding billions in available funding for these critical nutrition programs. The legislation directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately release contingency funds to keep benefits flowing through the remainder of the fiscal year and reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

Kelly is also supporting the bipartisanKeep SNAP Funded Act of 2025, led by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), which would ensure full funding for SNAP during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

Despite having billions of dollars ready and available, the Trump administration has chosen not to use those contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits. In Arizona alone, more than 923,000 people are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits on November 1st. Nationwide, over 42 million Americans rely on this critical assistance.

"I'm here in Washington working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to make sure Arizonans keep getting the SNAP benefits they rely on to put food on the table," said Senator Kelly. "To actually get this done, President Trump and congressional Republicans need to come to the table. Arizonans are counting on us."

Last week, Senator Kelly urged President Donald Trump and the USDA to immediately release billions in available funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing through November.