Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Joins House Democrats Letter Urging USDA to Fund November SNAP Benefits for Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) joined 213 House Democrats in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to use contingency reserve dollars to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) during the Republican shutdown. SNAP funding is set to lapse on November 1, putting 42 million individuals at risk of experiencing hunger.

"Families across the country rely on SNAP to keep food on the table. Now, because of the Republican shutdown, hardworking Americans face uncertainty about whether they'll be able to afford food next month," Rep. Meeks said. "It's simply unacceptable. A lapse in SNAP benefits would hurt people in every community, regardless of their party affiliation.

There is enough funding in the SNAP contingency reserve to cover nearly two-thirds of the amount needed for a full month of benefits. As such, the Members also advocate for USDA to use statutory transfer authority or any other legal means to supplement shortfalls the contingency reserve cannot cover.

The Members wrote in the letter:

"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."

Read the full letter, here.

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