When the Federal Government Fails, Maine Will Not

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was created by Congress as a bipartisan enactment in the 1960s. Now it has become our country's most important food assistance and nutrition program. Each month, some $29 million in federal funds for SNAP are provided to 170,000 people here in Maine. Nearly 75 percent of Maine's SNAP households include at least one working adult, and more than half include a person with a disability. About 43 percent of the households include an older adult, and over a third include children -- or about 52,000 children.

With the growing cost of heating, fuel, electricity, groceries, housing, many families in Maine are already struggling to get by. Then earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed states that they would not be distributing SNAP benefits in November due to the federal government shutdown. The USDA then said it can't use about $5 billion dollars in emergency funds that Congress already dedicated to SNAP for difficult times exactly like this one -- the same funds they've used in previous shutdowns.

Well, this is a cruel and callous decision that is bound to hurt Maine families, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. The USDA can and should distribute those emergency funds, and I applaud Attorney General Aaron Frey for joining the multi-state lawsuit to compel them to do so and avoid disastrous harm to Maine people.

This week, I also signed a letter with 20 of my fellow governors to urge the president to authorize the release of the USDA contingency funds before 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP end up going hungry. I'll continue to call on President Trump and the Republicans in Congress to end this unnecessary shutdown, because it's creating uncertainty every day for families across our state and families across the country.

I mean, how can they be more focused on building a $300 million gilded ballroom than feeding millions of hungry kids?

How can they be more focused on scoring political points than providing meals for our seniors?

How can they refuse to take responsibility for providing the most basic government services that people rely on -- heat, health care, food in an emergency?

I'm grateful to Maine people for standing up to help friends and neighbors in this difficult time. Like the dozens of restaurants who announced that they'll provide discounts and free meals to SNAP recipients in need. One business owner in Auburn said, "We're here to provide help. If you come in and need help, you don't need to go through any scrutiny or judgment. Just come in and ask for lunch."

When the federal government fails, Maine will not. When challenges arise, Maine people step up.

This week, I announced that I'll be delivering $1.25 million, including $1 million from my small contingency account and $250,000 generously donated from the John T. Gorman Foundation, to the Good Shepherd Food Bank and to the Area Agencies on Aging, so we can increase food supplies at the food banks and maintain Meals on Wheels and community meals during the shutdown.

We're also adding $10,000 to the Hunters for the Hungry program, which pays the processing costs for hunters who donate bear, deer, and moose meat to food pantries. If you're a hunter and you're interested in helping, email [email protected]. That's [email protected].

SNAP keeps millions of people from going hungry. The federal government must end this shutdown. But short of that, the USDA must immediately release the contingency funds that Congress provided to SNAP especially for emergencies like this one.

Look, the states are doing all we can to support our people and people who are harmed by this needless federal shutdown. But we shouldn't be in this position. Meanwhile, I encourage you to contact your local food bank, make a donation, and check on your neighbors as well. Let's support each other and support our communities during these hard times.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.