"Senate Republicans shot down a Democratic-led attempt to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) benefits on Monday during the government shutdown a move that heightens uncertainty for the 42 million Americans participating in the country's biggest anti-hunger program. Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, attempted to pass a resolution via unanimous consent that would have forced the Department of Agriculture to fund Snap benefits for the month of November."
"But Republican senators objected, with John Barrasso, Senate majority whip, arguing that a solution toward ensuring those benefits lies in reopening the government. This isn't lawmaking. It's a political stunt by the Democrats. The resolution they're offering is empty, Barrasso said. Democrats knew their actions threatened food assistance. They were fully aware of it. The move comes after the administration announced it will use money from an agriculture department contingency fund to restart Snap food benefits, but the money would only grant partial assistance."
"The administration said there's only $4.65bn available in that fund to pay for Snap benefits, which would only cover about half of the $8bn in food assistance payments people receive every month. Trump is using food as a weapon against children, families, and seniors to enact his make Americans hungry agenda,' said Merkley in a statement. It's unbelievably cruel, but Trump cares more about playing politics than making sure kids don't starve."
Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic attempt to force full funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the government shutdown. The failed unanimous-consent resolution aimed to compel the Department of Agriculture to fund SNAP for November. Republican leaders, including John Barrasso, said reopening the government is the path to restoring benefits and characterized the resolution as a political stunt. The administration plans to tap an agriculture contingency fund with $4.65 billion, enough for roughly half of typical monthly SNAP payments. Advocacy warnings and increased demand strain food banks as millions of participants face benefit uncertainty.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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