Food Benefits Scheduled to End for 41 Million During Prolonged Government Closure
USDA officials announced recently that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal support systems are not going out in November amid the persistent federal government shutdown.
Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks
The government shutdown was in its 25th day at the time of the statement, in response to appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives urging agriculture officials to tap into contingency funds to cover the upcoming nutrition payments.
“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” the USDA stated. “Currently, assistance will not be provided” starting next month.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans count on the regular assistance, per federal data. Some regions, like one southwestern state, dependence on the program reaches a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by journalists revealed that the department would not access contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.
Legislative Deadlock
Lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked regarding how to finance and restart government operations.
Remarks from the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership had opportunities to prepare in advance to ensure continuous assistance.
“It could have, and should have taken steps earlier to get ready to use these funds,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, they might decide against it for potential political benefit” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to support a spending bill that would resume the federal government.
States Prepare
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols this week to make money available to address food insecurity in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.
