U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has co-sponsored a bill aimed at maintaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. The proposed legislation, known as the Keep SNAP Funded Act, is supported by several senators including Josh Hawley (R-MO), James Lankford (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Jon Husted (R-OH).
“Chuck Schumer is taking food out of children’s mouths by forcing this shutdown to continue. It’s wrong,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We’re stepping up to make sure families can still put food on the table.”
The Keep SNAP Funded Act would secure full funding for SNAP during a government shutdown. If enacted, Congress would provide funds to ensure there are no interruptions in SNAP benefits, with appropriations retroactive to the start of the shutdown. The bill also outlines a process for states to receive federal reimbursement if they use their own resources to maintain SNAP payments while federal funding is delayed.
Recently, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued an emergency declaration intended to fund SNAP for nearly 800,000 residents who depend on it should the shutdown persist into November. In response, Senator Cassidy stated he was working on legislative measures to address these concerns before the deadline.
