Nutrition Assistance Set to Cease for 41 Million Throughout Prolonged US Government Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture declared on Saturday that nutrition assistance payments under one of the country’s largest welfare initiatives won't be issued during the coming month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Impasse Persists Into 25th Day
The funding lapse had reached three and a half weeks at the time of the statement, which followed appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats asking the USDA to tap into emergency reserves to cover the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Ultimately, funds are depleted,” officials announced. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” starting next month.
Millions Affected
Tens of millions of people depend on these monthly payments, according to official statistics. Various areas, such as New Mexico, reliance on SNAP reaches 21% of residents.
A memo obtained by journalists indicated that the department decided against using reserve funds for November food benefits.
Partisan Impasse
Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree over how to finance and restart government operations.
A statement from the leader of a budget research center suggested that the administration had chances to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.
“It could have, and should have made moves before now to make arrangements to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to vote for a funding package to restart government operations.
Emergency Measures
Governors in Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols in recent days to allocate funds to combat potential hunger expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping during the upcoming period.
