How SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans could be saved during the shutdown

October 31, 2025

Approximately 42 million low-income Americans face losing their SNAP food assistance benefits if the government shutdown continues past Saturday, marking the first-ever disruption to the program since its modern inception in the 1960s. Republicans controlling Congress and the White House want Democrats to approve temporary funding through a continuing resolution, while Democrats refuse to surrender their negotiating leverage on Affordable Care Act subsidies affecting 24 million people without broader healthcare discussions. Although bipartisan standalone SNAP bills have been introduced in the Senate and twenty-five Democratic-led states have sued the USDA to force the release of $5 billion in contingency funds, Senate leadership has not committed to voting on these measures.

Who is affected

42 million lower-income Americans receiving SNAP benefits (disproportionately women, children, disabled people, and the elderly)
24 million Americans whose Affordable Care Act health care subsidies are expiring
Adelita Grijalva, Arizona Democrat elected over a month ago who cannot be sworn in
SNAP recipients in states including New Mexico (highest participation rate), Louisiana (one-fifth of population), Vermont, Maryland, and New York
Food banks and nutrition assistance programs across multiple states

What action is being taken

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is presiding over votes on short-term measures to keep the government open (that leaders know will fail)
Twenty-five Democratic-led states are suing USDA in federal court to compel disbursement of contingency funds
Louisiana is using state money to fund SNAP through November 4
Vermont is allocating $6.3 million in state funds for SNAP and $250,000 for food banks
Maryland is directing $10 million to food banks
New York is authorizing an additional $65 million in nutrition assistance through a declared state of emergency
Indivisible and other progressive organizing groups are encouraging congressional Democrats to hold steady in negotiations

Why it matters

This represents the first-ever disruption to SNAP since the program's modern establishment in the 1960s, threatening food security for 42 million vulnerable Americans including women, children, disabled individuals, and the elderly. The shutdown exemplifies a partisan standoff where both parties hope voters will blame the opposition, with Democrats using their limited leverage to protect healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans while Republicans refuse to negotiate on Affordable Care Act provisions. The breakdown demonstrates how the congressional appropriations process has deteriorated in recent years, with fundamental safety net programs becoming political bargaining chips. Even state-level efforts to fill the gap are insufficient, as experts indicate state funds would only cover days or weeks of assistance rather than providing sustainable solutions.

What's next

A federal court ruling from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani on the twenty-five state lawsuit against USDA is expected as early as Friday
Senate Majority Leader Thune could potentially bring the Hawley or Luján SNAP funding bills up for a vote, though he has not committed to doing so as of Thursday evening
Republicans and Democrats would need to negotiate either a continuing resolution through November 21 or reach agreement on healthcare subsidies to resolve the broader impasse
President Trump stated "we're going to get it done" regarding SNAP funding but offered no details on when or how

Read full article from source: The 19th