Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins Warns of CalFresh Catastrophe

SACRAMENTO - The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have put millions of Americans at risk of going hungry. Federal SNAP and CalFresh benefits will be terminated starting November 1 due to the prolonged Republican-led government shutdown. Each day the shutdown continues after Thursday, October 23 pushes Californians closer deeper into hunger. CalFresh, almost entirely funded by the federal government, is relied upon by over 5.5 million Californians and 42 million Americans nationwide.

Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, co-chair of the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition and Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research, is leading California's response to this looming disaster.

"I have been speaking out about the embarrassingly low amount families receive through CalFresh, and I have fought for real, meaningful change," said Assemblymember Sharp-Collins. "Current full benefits are already dangerously low, at approximately six dollars per person per day, and the looming cuts are nothing short of a moral failure."

Dr. Sharp-Collins warned that this crisis is not theoretical.

"Last year, I introduced legislation for a scenario exactly like this. We are now staring into the consequences of letting vital programs collapse. Destroying CalFresh would cause irreversible damage to our communities. The last thing any Californian should have to worry about is where their next meal will come from. Children, seniors, veterans, and families living in poverty depend on CalFresh, and I will not allow political games in Washington to leave them starving."

Speaker Rivas also weighed in on the crisis, "This is not a drill. Trump's government shutdown is literally taking food away from our kids. But when Republicans fail to lead, Assembly Democrats, including Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, will do everything in our power to help parents and seniors pay for groceries and celebrate the holidays, because it's our job to fight for programs that put food on the table."

Under her leadership, California is taking bold, decisive steps. Alongside Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Dr. Sharp-Collins is co-chairing the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition to strengthen food security infrastructure statewide. Through this committee, she is working to modernize program systems, fortify protections, and ensure that a crisis like this never happens again.

"California will not wait for Washington while our families go hungry," Dr. Sharp-Collins said. "We are leading the charge. We are taking urgent, decisive action to protect our communities, safeguard access to food, and stand up for children, seniors, veterans, and families in need. This is what leadership looks like, and this is exactly what I and my Assembly colleagues along with our Speaker will be delivering for every Californian who depends on CalFresh."

For more information, please contact Michael Lucien at [email protected].