WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Brad Finstad (MN-01), House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), and House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD), released a statement on how continued Democrat obstruction in reopening the federal government has denied full, uninterrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to vulnerable Americans:

“Democrats are denying full SNAP benefits to vulnerable Americans. For the first time in the history of the program, SNAP funding has lapsed—leaving those who depend on this lifeline at risk of going hungry. This outcome was entirely avoidable. Republicans voted to fully fund nutrition benefits and keep the entire federal government open. Had Senate Democrats joined us, full SNAP benefits would have continued, our troops, air traffic controllers, and federal workers would be paid, and every government service would be operational.

“Instead, they voted fourteen times to let families go without. The Trump Administration has taken great lengths to mitigate harm across the nation. Yet, Democrats are acting as if contingency funds are an acceptable substitute for full benefits. They aren’t. The emergency reserve is not enough to cover a full month of benefits.

“As Chuck Schumer and his caucus deflect blame in every direction, their voting record is undeniable: they chose politics over feeding families. The American people are not leverage. It’s past time for Senate Democrats to reopen the government and end the needless pain they’ve inflicted across the nation.”

BACKGROUND:

• Republicans voted to fully fund the entire federal government.
• Republicans voted to ensure critical operations and programs, including SNAP, remain uninterrupted for Americans.
• Democrats have continually voted to shut it all down – and keep it closed.
• On October 10^th, USDA warned that SNAP would run out of funding in November if the Democrat-led shutdown continued.
• Emergency contingency reserves can’t sustain even one month of SNAP benefits.
• To end the lapse and restore SNAP benefits immediately, Senate Democrats must vote to reopen the federal government.