STATEMENT BY MAYOR ELICKER ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION TO PARTIAL FUND SNAP BENEFITS FOR NOVEMBER

[NEW HAVEN, CT] - In response to the lawsuit brought by the City of New Haven and 19 other plaintiffs to block the Trump Administration's unlawful effort to halt the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown and the subsequent temporary restraining order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, today the Trump Administration informed the court that it would use only contingency funds to partially fund SNAP. Following the Trump Administration's decision, Mayor Elicker issued the following statement:

"The Trump Administration's decision to provide partial SNAP benefits for the month of November is a positive step in the right direction - but insufficient and they must do more. It's critical that SNAP benefits are fully funded - not only for this month, but in perpetuity. The Trump Administration needs to stop weaponizing hunger and threatening to starve children, seniors, and families.

Because New Haven and seven other municipalities decided to stand up and fight back, we've not only had a positive impact on our 30,000 residents in New Haven who are SNAP recipients, but on over 42 million Americans nationwide. New Haven will continue to lead this fight nationally in the courts and continue to lead efforts locally to support our residents.

Since launching the Neighbors United Emergency Response Fund on Friday with the United Way of Greater New Haven and other nonprofits, over $215,000 has been raised to support residents in need of emergency food and direct financial assistance. As a community, we're stepping up and answering the call - and I continue to encourage individuals, organizations and businesses who have the means to donate and volunteer. It's making a real difference."

Additional information about the lawsuit, Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins, can be found here. The twenty plaintiffs include municipalities: City of Albuquerque, New Mexico; City of Baltimore, Maryland; City of Central Falls, Rhode Island; City of Columbus, Ohio; City of Durham, North Carolina; City of New Haven, Connecticut; City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; City of Providence, Rhode Island; charitable and faith-based nonprofit organizations: Rhode Island State Council of Churches; Amos House; East Bay Community Action Program; Federal Hill House Association; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center; The Milagros Project; the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN); New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG); United Way of Rhode Island; business and union organizations: Main Street Alliance; Black Sheep Market in Greenville, South Carolina; and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Democracy Forward and the Lawyers' Committee for Rhode Island are representing the plaintiffs.

Press Contacts:

• Lenny Speiller (City of New Haven) | 203-725-4249 ; [email protected]
• Democracy Forward | [email protected]