Durbin Statement On Trump Administration’s Decision To Withhold SNAP Benefits From 42 Million Americans During Republican-Led Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to not process SNAP benefits in November as congressional Republicans keep the government shut down:
“First, the Republicans cut almost $200 billion from the SNAP program in their so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Now, the Republican shutdown and President Trump’s USDA will stop next month’s SNAP benefits completely, causing 42 million vulnerable American families to struggle to put food on the table. The Trump Administration is simply refusing to fund SNAP benefits with emergency funds they have on hand specifically for this purpose and have used in previous shutdowns.
“And this week, Democrats came to the Senate floor to fund SNAP and WIC, but Republican leadership objected to providing Americans just $6 a day to help feed their families.
“The American people are not a bargaining chip. It is appalling that—at the same time the President is building a $300 million grand ballroom for himself, handing out new private jets to his cabinet officials, and sending a $40 billion bailout to Argentina—the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans are withholding SNAP benefits from 42 million Americans.”
Durbin is a cosponsor of the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, legislation that prevents the Trump Administration from illegally withholding available funds for SNAP and WIC. Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) attempted to pass the legislation by Unanimous Consent (UC), but the bill was blocked by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).
Last week, Durbin joined 45 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins calling on USDA to release the billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure SNAP benefits continue in November.
Twelve percent of the American population are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits if the Trump Administration does not use USDA’s emergency funds. Of the 42 million Americans that rely on SNAP, 2 million—including children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities—are Illinoisans.
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