US Senate Republicans Propose SNAP Funding Amid Government Shutdown Impacts Multiple States

The potential government shutdown threatens to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions across the U.S., including 1.9 million people in Illinois and about one in 10 residents in Tennessee. Congressman Eric Sorensen and House Democrats urge USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to use contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits, highlighting that the program has multi-year contingency funding intended for such situations. In Tennessee, Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, have introduced legislation to ensure uninterrupted SNAP funding through 2026 despite the shutdown, while state officials and USDA have indicated they will not cover lost federal benefits. Meanwhile, local governments like Manassas, Virginia, are preparing emergency plans and coordinating with social services to support residents facing benefit interruptions. In Alabama, while SNAP food stamps will be suspended, the WIC program for women, infants, and children will continue operating, reflecting the separation of these federal programs. The ongoing stalemate in Congress primarily centers on health care policy, with no resolution in sight, putting millions at risk of losing crucial food assistance.