Massachusetts Governor Healey Urges Reconsideration of SNAP Benefit Cut Affecting Over One Million Residents

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has strongly criticized President Donald Trump's decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, warning that over one million residents in the state—including children, seniors, and people with disabilities—face losing vital food aid. The recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has also imposed tighter eligibility requirements, potentially affecting 150,000 residents by reducing or removing their SNAP benefits. Governor Healey condemned the administration's choice as "purposeful cruelty" and highlighted the broader economic impact, noting that local grocery stores and farmers will suffer revenue losses from the funding cut. In response, Healey has partnered with organizations like United Way and Project Bread to launch statewide efforts, including the United Response Fund, to provide emergency food assistance to those impacted. Despite calls for the state to backfill the federal shortfall, Healey stated that Massachusetts lacks the resources to do so, urging the Trump administration to release contingency federal funds to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown. The White House has expressed openness to legislation to restore SNAP funding, but no resolution has been reached yet, leaving vulnerable populations at risk as the shutdown continues.