FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 03, 2025

Political fight over federal spending interrupts food aid for needy Americans

Pain is spreading from the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 over a budget standoff. Food aid for nearly 42 million elderly, disabled and low-income people was cut off last weekend on Nov. 1 until the end of an impasse between congressional Democrats and Republicans. Children make up about 16 million of those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. Another 8.5 million beneficiaries are elderly and about 4 million are adults with disabilities. SNAP, which began in 1974, has become America's largest anti-hunger initiative and is the defining issue of the nearly five-week shutdown.

Despite the government shutdown, SNAP isn't out of money. It has $5 billion set aside for emergencies. The Department of Agriculture, which runs the program, also can maintain funding for a while by moving other money. But the White House told the department not to use those taxpayer dollars, apparently to pressure congressional Democrats who say they won't agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats want to continue a tax credit for government health insurance premiums to keep policy costs from soaring this year. Republicans say Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before negotiation. It's the first time emergency funds have not been released to continue this type of aid during a shutdown.

Late last week, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a bill to let the Agriculture Department keep SNAP benefits flowing through November, and cover any missed payments, without the need for a wider budget agreement. "Congress can still pass legislation during a shutdown," Hawley wrote in The New York Times. "This isn't about politics at all in the end. It's about who we are. . . . There is no cause, and no excuse, to deny aid to the poor."

Some governors are using state money for temporary aid to food banks. Rhode Island and New York declared emergencies due to the cutoff, and Rhode Island’s governor reallocated up to $6 million to a Community Food Bank during November to partly offset the loss of about $29 million his state gets each month from Washington for SNAP households. "President Trump's failure to act is cruel and unacceptable," said Democratic Gov. Dan McKee. "Rhode Island will not stand by and allow families to go hungry." Elsewhere, high schools launched food pantries and fundraisers for affected students and their families.

Democrat says: "The well has not 'run dry.' There is $5 billion available right now to ensure hungry seniors, veterans and families are fed." – U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, on social media

Republican says: "Nobody in America, this richest of nations, should go to bed hungry, and certainly no child. We have a proud tradition of helping those in need." – U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri

Blogger says: "By refusing to maintain food aid, Republicans are hurting many of their own supporters. . . . Spending money to help families with children is an extremely high-return investment in the nation's future." – Paul Krugman, past New York Times economics columnist, at Substack

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