Summary
The USDA has accused Senate Democrats of voting against funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during a government shutdown. The funding bill that would support SNAP benefits passed the House but is stalled in the Senate. Both parties blame each other for the lack of SNAP funding as a consequence of the ongoing government shutdown.
Key Facts
- The USDA claims Senate Democrats voted 12 times against a bill to fund SNAP.
- The government has been shut down for nearly a month due to disagreements on a funding bill.
- The funding bill cleared the House but is stuck in the Senate, which needs 60 votes to pass it.
- Democrats oppose the bill because it doesn't address expiring health care subsidies from the Affordable Care Act.
- SNAP benefits may be delayed starting November 1 due to funding issues.
- Only two Democratic Senators, Catherine Cortez-Masto and John Fetterman, voted for the funding bill.
- Democrats and Republicans blame each other for the potential delay in SNAP benefits.
- A lawsuit by 25 states claims the USDA has contingency funds for SNAP that are not being used.
