As we approach the end of October, the consequences of the Senate Democrats’ shutdown continue to become more severe. Because of their continued refusal to pass the House-passed clean continuing resolution, more than 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP are at risk of not receiving benefits starting Nov. 1.
This affects not only families already enrolled, but also recent applicants and furloughed federal workers. While households with a remaining balance in their account can continue to use those funds, no new funds will be loaded without congressional action. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that it cannot legally use its contingency fund to cover regular SNAP payments. Under Federal law, those funds are dedicated for food for individuals in a disaster area. For example, if Hurricane Melissa impacts Florida or another state and food must be purchased as a result. Even if the money could be repurposed it is not enough to cover what SNAP needs. Moving other funds would require taking it away from programs such as National School Lunch Program or Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Some individuals may still have funds on their SNAP EBT cards at the end of October, those funds can still be used but unless Senate Democrats allow the House bill to pass no new funds will be added to cards. This did not have to happen. The fastest way to ensure that SNAP has the funding it needs is for Senate Democrats to vote for the clean, non-partisan, House-passed CR. SNAP EBT cards can be replenished within 24-48 hours of Senate Democrats passing the House’s funding bill!
Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.