Reed Backs Bipartisan SNAP Patch to Prevent First Ever SNAP Lapse in History

WASHINGTON, DC - With billions of federal dollars available to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing government shutdown, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says a failure by the Trump Administration to disburse these funds would be immoral, indefensible, and unlawful.

Senator Reed is calling on Republican leaders to put bipartisan bills on the floor and urging his colleagues to vote their conscience and pass bipartisan legislation to keep SNAP food assistance flowing uninterrupted to 42 million Americans.

Even President Donnald Trump, who is currently on a weeklong overseas trip - and whose chaotic and disjointed Administration has forced the shutdown and caused panic by prematurely ordering the suspension of SNAP benefits on November 1 - now suggests a SNAP reversal by USDA: Speaking aboard Air Force One while in Asia today, President Trump told reporters "we're going to get it [SNAP funding] done," but offered no details on how it might happen.

With the President in Asia and offering no concrete plan, and with the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives still on an indefinite hiatus because House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) refuses to bring lawmakers back to Washington, DC, Senator Reed says urgent action by the Senate is needed to prevent over 40 million Americans from going hungry.

Senator Reed is throwing his support behind two key SNAP funding bills: the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and the Keep SNAP Funded Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act would provide such funds as are necessary to provide uninterrupted benefits for SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) at times when continuing or full year appropriations have not been enacted for the Department of Agriculture in FY26.

Hawley's Keep SNAP Funded Act would fund the food aid program for states across the country until the nearly-month-long government shutdown ends and the USDA can receive its allotments through appropriations or stopgap measures.

So far, ten Republican Senators have cosponsored Senator Hawley's bill, including: James Lankford (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (RM-E), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Jon Husted (R-OH) and John Cornyn (R-TX).

Around 42 million Americans - including 140,000 Rhode Islanders -- depend on SNAP benefits for nutrition assistance each month, with funds uploaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to be used at local grocery stores. Each month, Rhode Island receives about $29 million to administer the SNAP program across the state.

With USDA announcing a pause in federal funding, states had to scramble. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee declared a state of emergency over the impending lapse, freeing up his ability to make emergency funds available to those in need -- and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joined a federal lawsuit with nearly two dozen states against the Trump Administration over the impending end of federal food assistance.

Senator Reed noted: "As my colleagues in both parties have attested and agree: There is no reason millions of Americans should go hungry. There is a bipartisan solution on the table. It's not the exact bill I would have written, but time is of the essence and bipartisan action is required. Democrats are willing to do their part. The only question is: Will Senate Republican leaders allow the Senate to work its will and allow a vote using a 60-vote threshold? This is about helping low-income children, seniors on a fixed income, and disabled Americans who depend on SNAP to make ends meet. If given the chance, I believe both parties can come together to help these vulnerable Americans. But the question is: will Congressional Republicans prioritize protecting the American people, or let the American people go hungry? I urge them to do the right thing and tee up a vote ASAP. If they do, we can get this done on a bipartisan basis."

While a strong majority of Senators support extending SNAP funding, it only takes one senator to object to passing a bill by unanimous consent. And only the Senate Majority Leader can schedule a vote in a timely manner.

The quickest way to get SNAP aid out in November is for the Trump Administration to simply follow the law and tap into the SNAP contingency fund, which has over $5 billion ready to go immediately, and transfer other USDA funds temporarily to ensure SNAP benefits keep flowing during the shutdown.

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