Representatives Stansbury, Vasquez, and Leger Fernández Introduce SNAP BACK Act to Protect Families from Republican Shutdown and Prevent Cuts to Food Assistance

WASHINGTON - As the Trump administration plans to cut off food assistance for 42 million Americans on November 1, U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) introduced the SNAP BACK Act to ensure that no child, parent, elder, or veteran goes hungry because of the Administration's refusal to release SNAP benefits.

The SNAP BACK Actguarantees funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) during the current government shutdown and any future lapse in funding. The bill requires the immediate release of food assistance funds, prohibits OMB or USDA from blocking their distribution, and ensures continuity of enrollment and access for eligible families. It also directs the federal government to reimburse states and Tribes that use emergency funds to cover food assistance during a shutdown.

"Withholding food from children, elders, and veterans is wrong. Period. The Trump Administration is playing politics with hungry kids and we won't let them." said Rep. Stansbury. "Nearly one in four families in New Mexico depend on SNAP to help put food on the table-that's 457,000 New Mexicans. No government should ever use food assistance as a political bargaining chip. This bill uses every tool we have to demand the release of these funds, working alongside state leaders, attorneys general, and food banks."

"The USDA has contingency funds that are explicitly authorized to replenish food assistance for New Mexicans. Rather than show up to work and discuss the health care crisis, Republicans have instead ignored the crisis and have opted to send kids to bed hungry," said Rep. Vasquez. "As I said to USDA Secretary Rollins last week, it is cruel and unnecessary to let working class New Mexicans go hungry when we have the money to feed them. Enough is enough, Republicans must get back to Washington and treat this health care crisis with the attention it deserves."

"I'm a cosponsor of the SNAP Back Act and the Feed Our Families Act because families should never go hungry in a shutdown," said Rep. Leger Fernández. "Congress needs to create a permanent solution to this crisis; hunger can't wait for the legislative calendar. The President has the money in the bank right now to prevent 42 million Americans-including nearly half a million New Mexicans-from going hungry on November 1. There's $5 billion sitting in the contingency fund and USDA has the authority to send it to the States today. If Trump can find $40 billion for Argentina, he should release the $5 billion that Congress already approved to feed the hungry. Hunger should not be a political weapon."

The Trump Administration's plan will cut off food assistance beginning November 1-leaving 457,000 New Mexicans, 42 million Americans, and 6 million parents, infants, and young children hungry. The SNAP BACK Act ensures benefits continue flowing by:

• Requiring immediate release of SNAP and WIC funds appropriated by Congress.
• Prohibiting the White House, OMB, or USDA from withholding or delaying funds for political or administrative reasons.
• Guaranteeing continued enrollment and access to benefits during a shutdown.
• Maintaining uninterrupted operation of EBT systems that distribute benefits to families.
• Reimbursing States and Tribes that provide emergency funds to cover a lapse.

"In New Mexico, we know what it means to take care of one another," said Rep. Stansbury. "When families can't afford groceries, it's our kids who suffer. This bill ensures families can continue to put food on the table-no matter what is happening in Washington."

The SNAP BACK Act builds on Rep. Stansbury's record of fighting hunger and supporting working families. Since coming to Congress, she has delivered funding for food banks, school meal programs, and community nutrition initiatives across New Mexico.

"Families in New Mexico are resilient, but they should never have to worry about whether Washington will take away their next meal during a shutdown," added Stansbury. "The SNAP BACK Act makes sure that never happens again."

Watch a recording of the press call on the bill introduction here.

Find a link to the bill text here.

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