Jon Husted, U.S. Senator from Ohio, has joined a legislative effort to ensure continued funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The proposed Keep SNAP Funded Act would allocate the necessary funds to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the beginning of the shutdown.
“About 1.4 million Ohioans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Ohio families shouldn’t pay the price for Washington’s political games. I will continue to vote to reopen the government, and I urge my Senate Democratic colleagues to do the same. But for now, we cannot allow millions of innocent Americans to go without the benefits they rely on,” said Husted.
SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income families afford groceries. With funding set to expire on November 1 due to the shutdown, current law prevents use of contingency funds without new appropriations from Congress. As a result, passing legislation is required to ensure all scheduled SNAP payments are made if the government remains closed.
In addition to supporting SNAP funding, Husted has written a letter requesting that his own Senate salary be withheld during the shutdown period. He is also backing the Pay Our Military Act, which would guarantee pay for U.S. military personnel throughout the duration of the shutdown.
The full text of the Keep SNAP Funded Act is available here.
