Food Benefits Expected to Cease for 41 Million Throughout Continuing Government Closure
USDA officials declared on Saturday that nutrition assistance payments under one of the country’s largest support systems will not be distributed during the coming month due to the ongoing government funding lapse.
Impasse Persists Through Its Third Week
The funding lapse lasted nearly a month at the time of the statement, coming after appeals by more than two hundred House Democrats asking the USDA to access emergency reserves to pay for the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Ultimately, resources are exhausted,” the department confirmed. “Currently, there will be no benefits issued” starting next month.
Millions Affected
Tens of millions of people depend on these food benefits, per official statistics. Some regions, like New Mexico, use of the program reaches 21% of residents.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency indicated that USDA officials decided against using emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance.
Political Stalemate
Lawmakers from both parties continue to disagree over how to support and resume the federal government.
Comments by the leader of a budget research center suggested that the White House had opportunities to act sooner to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to acted earlier to be prepared to utilize available money,” the comments added. “Instead, officials could opt out to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to influence Democratic senators to approve a spending bill to restart the federal government.
Emergency Measures
Executives in multiple regions declared states of emergency recently to allocate funds to combat potential hunger expecting SNAP benefits not being issued next month.
