Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits face a scheduled cutoff on November 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The declaration was made by Youngkin on Thursday from Richmond and was attributed to the inaction of congressional Democrats, blaming them for dragging out the shutdown and failing to pass a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open. Youngkin emphasized that the situation would leave over 850,000 Virginians without access to essential food assistance, with the state’s administration vowing to continue providing support until the crisis is resolved.
Youngkin’s statement framed the federal government’s shutdown as a partisan political maneuver, accusing Democratic lawmakers of using the crisis to gain leverage for their agenda. He criticized the Democratic Party for its refusal to prioritize the needs of Virginians over its political stance, stating that the shutdown would lead to a dire situation for families in need. The governor called on Senate Democrats, including Virginia’s Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, to act in the interest of the state’s residents and end the shutdown. Youngkin also credited President Donald Trump for his backing of the effort, though the state’s lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running to succeed Youngkin, reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no Virginian goes without food due to the shutdown.
The timing of the cutoff aligns with reports from the Department of Agriculture, which suggested that SNAP benefits could run out by November 1. While other states like Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Illinois have also issued warnings about their benefits facing similar threats, none of their governors have yet declared a state of emergency as Youngkin has done. The declaration highlights the growing concern over the impact of the government shutdown on critical federal programs and the broader implications for vulnerable populations across the United States.