Luján Statement on Senate Republicans Blocking Effort to Keep Nutrition Assistance Programs Running During Trump Shutdown

PHOTO: USDA's Now-Deleted Guidance Confirming Its Authority to use Available Funds During a Shutdown

Luján Led Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Effort to Stop Trump Administration from Illegally Withholding Funding For SNAP

VIDEO: Luján on the Senate Floor Highlighting Urgent Need to Pass his Legislation to Keep Hungry Americans Fed

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked his legislation to ensure the continuation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the government shutdown:

"Senate Republicans just blocked my legislation that would ensure no child, parent, or veteran misses a meal because of the Republican shutdown. Senate Republicans are choosing to hold meals hostage and play partisan games with Americans' lives.

"The Trump administration has the authority and the funds to keep SNAP running during this shutdown - USDA's own guidance confirmed this. Yet, Senate Republicans would rather let 42 million Americans, including seniors, veterans, families, and children go hungry.

"My legislation - that is backed by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus - would have prevented the Trump administration from withholding billions in available funding to inflict maximum pain on the American people. Whether it's my legislation or Senator Hawley's, Leader Thune needs to bring this to a vote."

Today, Senator Luján led the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, legislation that prevents the Trump administration from illegally withholding available funds for SNAP and WIC.

Last week, Senator Luján led dozens of Senate Democrats in pressing the USDA to immediately release billions in available funds to keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing through November. During debate on the Republican Budget Betrayal, Senator Luján spearheaded efforts to reverse the bill's drastic cuts to food assistance.

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