On October 1, 2025, the United States government shut down with both democrats and republicans casting blame for why. Twenty-nine days later, the government is at a standstill and programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are set to run out of funding, leaving 1 in 8 Americans across our country without critical assistance. Literally, leaving them to go hungry.
What is SNAP?
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families across the country through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since SNAP is a direct benefit, not a loan or grant that must be matched locally, it is intended to inject immediate relief into households, while also contributing to local economies through farmers, grocery stores and distributors. Monthly, 42 million Americans receive SNAP electronic benefit cards (EBTs), which they use to buy groceries. Newsweek published an interactive map where you can observe the amount of SNAP recipients by state, illustrating how many people rely on SNAP assistance across the country. The USDA has confirmed that SNAP benefits for November will be unavailable for as long as the government is shut down.
State and Leaders Pushback
While federal leaders cast blame, states are taking the initiative to help their constituents. California is using surplus and supplementary funds to mitigate the loss of SNAP benefits. Governor Gavin Newsom has confirmed that the state is using $80 million from state funding to support food banks for the roughly 24% of the state’s population that relies on SNAP, and deployed the National Guard to provide humanitarian support.
Additionally, Capitol Hill Reporter Sarah Ferris emphasizes on her X account that some Democrat-led states will seek injunctive relief.
Already, twenty five states have sued the Trump administration for restricting access to food stamps. The lawsuit urges the federal government to tap the alleged contingency funds, hypothetically containing $5 to $6 billion to hold hunger over until the government reopens. There remains an open question as to where the White House’s priorities rest right now, as President Trump continuously raves about his $300 million ballroom.
Highlighted by journalist Aaron Rupar on X, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota said in a C-SPAN interview:
[Democrats] are not willing to come back and let an authoritarian president do whatever he wants. People are gonna be lined up out here to get food, and we’re talking about a damn ballroom. Don’t lose the plot.
As the shutdown continues and individuals have to survive with fewer resources, states need to take additional responsibility to protect and support their constituents. Working-class Americans should evaluate their unconditional support for an administration that turns a blind eye in times of need. It’s time for a new deal.