42 million Americans face loss of food aid as Congress continues its stand-off
Anxiety grows as cut-off threatens Americans already impacted by the government shutdown, which has cut pay to federal employees
With the federal government shutdown entering its 28th day, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to expire this weekend — threatening food aid for some 42 million Americans.
A bipartisan blame-game is underway as lawmakers leverage the looming human impact to press their own political agendas.
While 23 states’ attorneys general have filed suit and some congressional efforts to keep SNAP alive have emerged, no legislative breakthrough appears in sight.
Funding cutoff looms as shutdown drags on
A federal government shutdown that began October 1 has stalled the annual appropriations process, leaving SNAP — the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program — without new funding after this weekend. It supports around one in eight Americans and roughly 42 million individuals.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), payments scheduled for Nov. 1 will not be issued. The agency cites the absence of a current appropriation and states that its contingency reserve cannot legally be used for “regular” benefits in a funding lapse.
States sue – tension escalates
In response, a coalition of 23 state attorneys-general and several governors have filed a lawsuit against the USDA and its Secretary, Brooke Rollins, alleging the shutdown-driven halt violates legal obligations to provide food assistance.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser decried the agency’s decision: “The government is legally required to make payments to those who meet the program requirements… We are asking the court to resume essential food assistance…”
Some states (both Republican- and Democratic-led) are exploring emergency stopgap measures, including deploying state funds for food banks and other relief programs — although those efforts cannot replace the full scale of federal SNAP benefits.
Contingency fund dispute at heart of the fight
At the center of the debate is whether the USDA may tap SNAP’s contingency reserve (estimated at roughly $5-6 billion) to continue benefits even in the absence of a new appropriation. Advocates say the reserve was designed for exactly this kind of funding lapse, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
But in a recent memo the USDA argued the contingency fund “is only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated… The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists.”
Experts counter that this position conflicts with the USDA’s own prior “lapse of funding” plan, which recognized that contingency funds could be used to cover participant benefits in the event of a shutdown.
Congressional efforts stumble amidst political standoff
In the Senate, Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation to keep SNAP funding flowing during the shutdown and secured 10 new co-sponsors. “Needy families … should not be going hungry because a bunch of politicians in DC can’t figure out how to open the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the House the Speaker, Mike Johnson, told GOP members that leadership has no plans to vote on standalone legislation for expiring food benefits. Politico reported Johnson warned that “things are getting real” this week and urged members to brace for mounting constituent pressure.
Johnson also declared the “pain register is about to hit level 10,” suggesting his strategy is to increase pressure on Democrats by threatening the welfare of millions unless the Democrats accede to GOP demands — including cuts to funding under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The human stakes – hunger and economic ripple effects
The lapse of SNAP benefits would not only threaten the health and well-being of low-income households, children, seniors and disabled Americans, but also strain state and local governments, food banks, and school systems. (TIME)
The USDA itself estimates that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity — meaning a halt would also ripple across local businesses and grocers that serve SNAP households. (Farm Policy News)
Advocates say the country is facing “the greatest hunger catastrophe since the Great Depression” if benefits don’t resume. (The Guardian)
What’s next
With Congress out of session and no bill on the immediate horizon, states are left to scramble. Some may tap state-level funds or emergency food programs; others will simply face the consequences.
A hearing is scheduled this week in the lawsuit brought by states, and in parallel, the political brinkmanship is intensifying. Whether the USDA revises its position on the contingency fund or Congress acts remains uncertain — but millions of households are watching closely and waiting with growing anxiety.