USDA website slams Senate Democrats over SNAP battle: ‘Well has run dry’

The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website has placed an advisory blaming Senate Democrats for the impending absence of food assistance benefits on its website. 

Starting Nov. 1, it is likely that over 40 million low-income beneficiaries will not receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aid. The USDA, which runs the program, is threatening to withhold between $5 billion and $6 billion in SNAP contingency funding if the government shutdown lasts until next month.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01,” the advisory says. It adds that Senate Democrats are “approaching an inflection point,” as the government shutdown continues into its 26th day.

“[Senate Democrats] can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance,” the advisory says.

The shutdown has continued amid Senate Democrats’ attempts to permanently extend subsidies offered under the Affordable Care Act. If the credits expire at the end of this year, premium payments for millions are set to increase, with the effects already being felt in some states.

Numerous states have warned residents that funding for November SNAP benefits is set to run out. The federal government shares the cost of administering the program with states, while states operate their own programs. 

SNAP funding is allocated to states monthly, with roughly $8 billion due next month. In a memo, first reported by Axios, the USDA argued the contingency funds can only be used to respond to unforeseen events, such as natural disasters.

On Friday, hours after the USDA threatened to withhold funding, congressional Democrats slammed the administration. 

“It is a disgusting dereliction of duty that the Trump administration would knowingly rip food out of the mouths of 42 million children, seniors and veterans,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

Republican Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks (Iowa) introduced a bill on Friday to fund the SNAP program during the shutdown. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a similar bill in the Senate on Tuesday.