Gallego, Senate Dems Take Action to Stop Trump Administration from Illegally Withholding Funding for Nutrition Assistance Programs

WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, legislation that prevents the Trump Administration from illegally withholding available funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Trump Administration is choosing to withhold billions at its disposal to pay for SNAP, causing the program to lapse for the first time in history, which will be devastating for the 900,000 Arizonans who depend on SNAP.

Senator Luján tried to pass the bill via unanimous consent yesterday, but Republican leadership objected and blocked it.

Despite having billions of dollars ready and available for SNAP, the Trump Administration continues to play politics with the ability of Americans across the country to put food on the table. Not only does the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have the authority to release SNAP contingency funds, but the statute is clear: the Trump Administration is required by law to release these funds.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 directs USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown. Arizona has provided $1.8 million in state funds to stabilize food banks and offset delays in SNAP benefits.

"The president who promised to lower costs is literally taking food off of working families' tables. Donald Trump has the power to ensure Arizonans continue receiving their SNAP benefits, and he's choosing not to. Instead, he's using people's hunger as leverage to raise their health care costs," said Senator Gallego. "Our bill will make sure the 900,000 Arizonans who rely on SNAP continue receiving the food assistance they need."

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Senator Gallego is working across the aisle to keep SNAP funded. He also supports Senator Josh Hawley's (R-MO) bill, introduced last week, which would pay for SNAP through Congressionally-appropriated funds.

10/30/25