Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) has joined Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and several other Republican senators in supporting a bill that aims to ensure the continuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. The proposed legislation comes as concerns grow over the impact of the shutdown on families who rely on food assistance.
Moreno, along with Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), is backing Hawley’s initiative to keep SNAP funded.
“The Schumer shutdown is already wreaking havoc on working class Americans. Millions of Ohioans rely on SNAP to make ends meet, they shouldn’t be punished because Chuck Schumer and DC Democrats view them as ‘leverage’ in their political war against President Trump,” said Senator Moreno. “I’m proud to team up with my Republican colleagues to protect SNAP since Democrats won’t.”
Senator Hawley emphasized the local impact in his state: “Needy families in Missouri should not be going hungry because a bunch of politicians in DC can’t figure out how to open the government. 650,000 people in Missouri depend on help when it comes to the price of food and groceries. I don’t want to see these folks go without food. I hope everybody will support this legislation.”
Senator Lankford pointed out efforts by previous administrations: “The Trump Administration has tried to shield the American people from the harmful effects of this Democrat shutdown. But as the shutdown drags on, the reality is the only way to guarantee paychecks for federal employees, keep America’s skies safe for travelers, and ensure critical safety-net programs remain available for Oklahomans in need is to reopen the government. Under President Biden, this same type of clean continuing resolution passed on a bipartisan basis thirteen times. Now, under President Trump, it’s exceptionally disappointing to see Democrats choosing politics over paychecks and the most vulnerable.”
Blackburn noted how many Tennesseans depend on SNAP: “Roughly one in 10 Tennesseans receive SNAP benefits for food assistance, and they shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from because the Democrats are holding government funding hostage to appease their far-left base,” she said. “Our Keep SNAP Funded Act would ensure Tennesseans do not miss a meal during the Democrats’ shutdown.”
Collins also highlighted how essential SNAP is for her constituents: “No American should face hunger because of partisan brinkmanship in Washington. SNAP is a lifeline for more than 170,000 Mainers, including 50,000 children and 73,000 older adults, who rely on this critical nutrition assistance,” she said. “As Congress works to resolve the needless and reckless government shutdown, passing this legislation to ensure that SNAP payments continue without interruption is a top priority.”
