ICYMI: Rep. Sykes Leads Effort to Protect SNAP Benefits as Shutdown Threatens Food Access

ICYMI: Rep. Sykes Leads Effort to Protect SNAP Benefits as Shutdown Threatens Food Access

AKRON, Ohio - With the government shutdown threatening to cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in just days, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced Tuesday urgent efforts to keep food on the table for Ohio families and Americans across the country.

Joined by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and officials from the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services (JFS), Rep. Sykes emphasized both the immediate danger and the long-term solutions she is advancing to protect families from political gridlock. Rep. Sykes highlighted her Feed Our Families Act, legislation that would create a three-month reserve of SNAP funding to guarantee stability even during federal funding lapses.

"Food is not a bargaining chip," said Rep. Sykes. "Every day this shutdown continues, families in Summit County are left wondering whether they will be able to feed their children next week. We are here to say loud and clear that we will not allow hunger to be used as leverage in Washington politics. We are demanding immediate action to protect the people we serve."

Executive Shapiro underscored the local risk. On Monday night, she introduced legislation to Summit County Council to provide an additional $250,000 in emergency funding to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, which the Council approved. The funds will place extra food in local pantries in anticipation of increased need.

"Each month, approximately 77,000 Summit County residents, living in all 31 communities, rely on SNAP benefits," said Executive Shapiro. "These residents include families with children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Ensuring they can put food on the table should never be a partisan issue. If SNAP benefits cease on Nov. 1, there is no local solution to replace the $15 million loss in monthly food aid. While the County is increasing support to the Food Bank, it simply cannot fill that gap. We thank Congresswoman Sykes for raising awareness and urge residents to contact their other federal lawmakers and ask them to prevent this crisis."

Officials from Summit County JFS reported rising community anxiety as families brace for potential benefit disruptions.

The Local Impact

Without swift action, 42 million low-income Americans, including nearly 1.5 million Ohioans and almost 115,000 residents in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, will lose assistance needed to put food on the table until the government reopens. Federal SNAP funding is expected to run out on November 1, leaving households uncertain about affording groceries next week.

Ohioans concerned about SNAP benefits should call 2-1-1 to connect to local foodbanks and resources. Summit County residents can visit 211Summit.org, Stark County residents can visit uwstark.org, and Portage County residents can visit 211Portage.org. Northeast Ohioans can also find shutdown resources at sykes.house.gov/shutdown.

Government Officials Must Act

The Trump Administration has access to more than $5 billion in authorized SNAP contingency funding but has chosen not to release it. This unprecedented decision denies Ohio families critical food assistance. That is why Rep. Sykes joined her colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the release of this funding to partially cover November benefits.

Denying households benefits for political gain is not only heartless, it also appears unlawful. On Tuesday, Attorneys General from 25 states and Washington, D.C. filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for arbitrarily suspending SNAP benefits.

SNAP receives $3 billion annually in reserve funding with carryover authority for up to three years. An estimated $5 billion is currently available, which is insufficient to cover the roughly $8 billion needed monthly. Rep. Sykes' Feed Our Families Act would create a three-month reserve to guarantee program stability during federal funding lapses.

Rep. Sykes also joined her Ohio Democratic delegation colleagues in writing to Governor Mike DeWine regarding his administration's plans for SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), emphasizing the programs' importance to constituents. In the Ohio House, H.B. 502 would authorize funding to continue SNAP, WIC, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).