Booker, NJ Democrats Condemn Republican Assault on SNAP Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Donald Trump's USDA has refused to use existing contingency funding and legal authority to continue SNAP into November. As a result, SNAP beneficiaries in New Jersey will begin missing benefits tomorrow. SNAP is vital to more than 820,000 recipients in New Jersey, who rely on this funding to afford basic groceries.

In response to this attack on New Jerseyans and SNAP beneficiaries nationwide, the Democratic members of New Jersey's Congressional Delegation-U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), along with U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Herb Conaway Jr. (D-NJ-03), and Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) released the following joint statement:

"Families count on the few dollars a day SNAP provides to help put food on the table-starting tomorrow, that critical support will disappear. Trump is using the government shutdown he and congressional Republicans have inflicted as an excuse to do what he's always wanted: slash benefits that people rely on.

"This heartless decision to stop SNAP benefits just before Thanksgiving will put immense strain on families, food banks, and pantries during an already busy season. SNAP is vital to over 820,000 recipients in New Jersey, most of whom are children, seniors, or people with disabilities.

"Despite misleading claims from Trump's USDA, the agency has both the authority and obligation to fund November benefits-this is exactly why Congress created an emergency fund.

"Democrats in Congress stand ready to fund the government, deliver for Americans, and protect vital programs like SNAP. We urge Republicans, including Kean, Smith, and Van Drew, to stop playing with their constituents' lives and come to the negotiating table immediately."

BACKGROUND:

As Senator Booker wrote last week, the USDA has billions of dollars and clear legal authority to fund SNAP benefits during a government shutdown. Earlier this year, Republicans enacted a $186 billion cut to SNAP-the largest in the program's history. The Trump USDA's announcement to withhold November SNAP payments is the latest attack on a program that millions of Americans rely on for nutrition and basic food security.