Millions of Americans who rely on federal food benefits could be among the next casualties of the ongoing government shutdown. Federal food programs, including SNAP and WIC, face funding shortages affecting over 42 million people as the government shutdown continues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that SNAP benefits could be disrupted starting November 1, with more than two dozen states alerting residents to potential lapses in funding. Virginia’s governor, Glenn Youngkin, has declared a state of emergency over the potential loss of food benefits.
Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, warned that the funding shortfall could have long-term impacts on vulnerable populations. “It requires about $8 billion each month to fund SNAP benefits nationwide. When there’s no funding it impacts not just pockets of people, but it’s going to impact people all around the country,” Cho said. The situation is escalating as Democrats face backlash for not securing a budget agreement.
The political tensions have deepened as Democrats resist agreeing to Republicans’ funding proposals, demanding significant healthcare concessions. The House passed a seven-week extension of FY2025 funding on September 19, but Senate negotiations have stalled, with the legislation failing 12 times already. Democrats are pushing for an extension of Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, and the repeal of Medicaid cuts from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson has accused Democrats of being afraid of their far-left base, refusing to reopen the government.
Critics argue that Democrats could face a political quagmire for previously opposing SNAP work requirements, now being blamed for the food aid crisis. The Trump administration has reallocated some $300 million from tariff revenues for WIC and moved R&D funds to cover military paychecks, but these measures are seen as temporary. The USDA’s contingency fund has $5 billion, which could provide relief for November but not for an entire month. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has suggested that the administration could tap into the contingency fund, but he criticized the White House for refusing to do so, accusing it of starving Americans.
The crisis has intensified political pressure on both sides, with the potential for further disruptions in food assistance as the shutdown continues. Advocacy groups warn that the funding shortfall could exacerbate hunger and have long-term impacts on vulnerable populations. The situation has become a focal point in the ongoing political battle over the government shutdown, with implications for both national policy and the well-being of millions of Americans.