WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced two bills to reinstate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and critical farm programs during the government shutdown, according to a statement from his office.
“Since the Democrats refuse to fund the government, I’m introducing legislation to reinstate food stamps and farm programs immediately,” said Senator Hawley.“Missourians shouldn’t go hungry because of the Left’s incompetence. Our kids deserve to eat.”
More than 650,000 Missourians, 188,000 Kansans and 155,000 Nebraskans stand to lose their access to food benefits next month because Democrats refuse to fund the government. The vast majority of those Missourians are families with children.
The Keep SNAP Funded Act would ensure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.
The Fund Farm Programs Act would reopen all Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices and ensure resumed services for all FSA programs that farmers rely on. The USDA will be appropriated the necessary funding to provide resumed services for farmers through FSA offices, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.
Read the full bill text for the Keep SNAP Funded Act here.
Read the full bill text for the Fund Farm Programs Act here.