U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today joined legislation introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) aimed at insulating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the ongoing federal government shutdown. The move comes as the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) warns that as many as 750,000 Alabamians who rely on the food assistance program stand to miss their benefits next week.
The legislation, titled the “Keep SNAP Funded Act,” would appropriate the necessary funds to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, including benefits retroactive to the start of the shutdown.
Senator Britt pointed a finger at Senate Democrats for the impasse, accusing them of prioritizing politics over struggling American families.
READ: U.S. Senators Urge AG Pam Bondi To Combat Illegal Offshore Gambling Targeting Youth
“Democrats could end this shutdown today,” Senator Britt stated. “Every day this shutdown continues, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats continue to prove they couldn’t care less about hardworking Americans. They would rather prevent millions of Americans from putting food on the table than support a spending bill identical to one they supported 13 times during the Biden Administration.”
Britt’s team is in “close contact” with the Alabama DHR, which has issued guidance to state offices as the threat of a benefits lapse looms. SNAP provides critical food assistance to low-income families, seniors, and children.
The Alabama Republican also highlighted her support for a separate measure, Senator Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) Shutdown Fairness Act, which was blocked by Senate Democrats last week and would ensure pay for U.S. troops and excepted federal workers during a shutdown.
“I will continue to put hardworking Americans first and join my Republican colleagues in voting to reopen the government,” Britt concluded. “My team and I will stay in touch with state officials as we work toward solutions that ease the pain countless Alabamians and Americans are feeling due to Democrats’ selfishness.”
READ: SNAP Cutoff Hits Florida: 3 Million Vulnerable Residents Face Hunger Crisis
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
