Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) co-sponsored a bill last week to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receives full funding during the government shutdown.
The Keep SNAP Funded Act would require the federal government to provide funding necessary to ensure SNAP benefits can be sent to people during the shutdown. Also, the bill would provide food stamp benefits to people who have missed them since the beginning of the shutdown.
Blackburn said in a statement provided to The Tennessee Star that “roughly one in 10 Tennesseans receive SNAP benefits for food assistance, and they shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from because the Democrats are holding government funding hostage to appease their far-left base.”
“Our Keep SNAP Funded Act would ensure Tennesseans do not miss a meal during the Democrats’ shutdown,” she stated.
Blackburn is co-sponsoring this bill with Senators Josh Hawley (R-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
Monday marks the 27th day of the shutdown, which is now the second-longest in American history. This shutdown is eight days away from tying the longest one ever, which occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term.
Funding for SNAP remains in doubt after October 31. On the United States Department of Agriculture’s website, it says that on November 1, food stamps will not be issued.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the notice states.
“We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats,” it adds. “They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
According to the White House Council of Economic Affairs, if SNAP funding is not provided next month, it will affect 691,000 people in Tennessee, including approximately 268,000 children.
Last week, Governor Bill Lee issued a statement criticizing congressional Democrats for their role in ending the shutdown. He called on them to vote to end the government closure.
“Congress has a responsibility to fund the federal government…I share the frustration of hardworking Tennesseans who will be impacted by this temporary lapse, and sincerely hope Democrats will choose to put the American people ahead of politics and reopen the government now,” he stated.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.
