Rep. Kelly condemns Trump’s decision to unlawfully withhold SNAP benefits

CHICAGO - U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned the Trump administration's decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, despite being legally required to fund SNAP benefits through November.

"While President Trump is building a $300 million ballroom to host luxurious dinners with his billionaire buddies and bailing out Argentina to a tune of $40 billion, he's letting Americans starve. Seniors, children, and veterans all rely on SNAP to put food on the table. In Illinois alone, nearly 2 million people won't know where to get groceries this weekend due to President Trump's cruel decision. Senate Republicans bowed to his decision by blocking a bill that would have funded SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans. President Trump and his Congressional Republicans are making this government shutdown hurt as much as possible for hardworking Americans, proving they cannot negotiate in good faith to put people over politics."

The US Department of Agriculture's own shutdown plan agrees that contingency funds should be used to pay for SNAP benefits.

Nearly 2 million people in Illinois rely on SNAP, including 187,000 people in the Second District.