Senate Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), are urging the Trump Administration to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid impending disruptions due to the government shutdown. Specifically, the Senators are calling for U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to use the Agency’s existing authority to fund the SNAP program in November.
In a collaborative letter, the Senators stressed the significance of SNAP, writing that “any halt in SNAP funding will have devastating impacts for program beneficiaries, increasing food insecurity and undermining family budgets. Given the critical importance of SNAP benefits, the USDA must take all steps possible to ensure that families do not go hungry.”
For context, Sec. Rollins instructed states, earlier this month, to stop processing SNAP benefits for November, claiming that the program would “run out of money in two weeks,” despite several options available to the USDA, ensuring that Americans could continue receiving this critical benefit.
In the letter, the Senators expressed their concern with Rollins’ instruction, claiming that it was entirely unnecessary. They also urged the department to utilize its wealth of contingency and emergency funding so that American families can get their benefits.
“We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November,” the group wrote. “Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance.”
“We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDA’s plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption,” the letter concludes.
Sen. Raphael Warnock took to X to comment on the issue, claiming that this is all an attempt to gain leverage in the fight to end the government shutdown.
Starting Nov 1, SNAP benefits will be delayed in Georgia. This admin could send out benefits if they wanted to but they are CHOOSING not to. It’s a craven attempt to gain leverage in their fight to rip health care away from millions. I will fight this.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) October 24, 2025
