Crow Works to Reopen Government as Republican Shutdown Threatens Food Assistance
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), in a new letter, is calling on President Trump and congressional Republicans to reopen the government as 42 million Americans–including 1 in 10 Coloradans– are at risk of losing their food assistance benefits.
600,000 Coloradans are projected to lose their food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) unless Congress acts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said it will halt money sent to states, including Colorado, starting November 1. In addition to SNAP, funding for the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program — which provides food to food banks — will also cease on November 1 unless government funding is restored.
“While Donald Trump builds himself a $300 million ballroom, Secretary Kristi Noem buys herself two new luxury jets, Republicans give billionaires a massive tax cut, and the President gives a $40 billion taxpayer-funded bailout to corrupt foreign leaders, working Coloradans are being hurt by this government shutdown and going hungry,” said Congressman Crow. “Republicans have created a health care crisis in this country. Yet they are not focused on making life more affordable and lowering costs. As people suffer, they can’t even show up for work. It’s truly shameful.”
Congressman Crow has repeatedly called on Speaker Johnson and congressional Republicans to bring the House back to negotiate, pass a budget, and end the shutdown.
A PDF of Congressman Crow’s letter can be found here and below:
Dear Madam Secretary,
Right now, millions of Americans are struggling to afford food due to the Administration’s ill-conceived trade war. Just this year, we’ve seen household staples like eggs, coffee, and ground beef hit record high prices. Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not. Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month.
A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country. As the largest food assistance program in the United States, SNAP serves 42 million people. That includes 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans.
That is why we were deeply concerned to see your comments suggesting that SNAP will run out of funding in two weeks and that no SNAP benefits will be issued in November. USDA’s shutdown plan acknowledges that “Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds...” USDA still has significant funding available in SNAP’s contingency reserve – which Congress provides precisely for this reason – that can be used to fund the bulk of November benefits.
We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits.
There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people. We appreciate your consideration of these requests.
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