U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) has voted for the fourteenth time to reopen the federal government and end what has become the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The ongoing shutdown has affected various federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
A recent federal court decision has allowed the use of contingency funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to partially resume SNAP benefits while the government remains closed.
Senator Mullin stated, “The easiest way to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program is to open the government back up. Oklahoma families are having to decide between putting gas in their car, paying the electric bill, or feeding their children. It’s a horrible situation, but it was entirely preventable. I’ve voted 14 times to reopen the government, fund SNAP, pay our troops, and get the government working for the American people. I’m optimistic at this point that enough Senate Democrats will finally get on board and end this Schumer Shutdown before the end of the week.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins posted on X that guidance had been sent to states regarding SNAP benefits: “This morning, USDA sent SNAP guidance to States,” said Rollins. “My team stands by to offer immediate technical assistance. This will be a cumbersome process, including revised eligibility systems, State notification procedures, and ultimately, delayed benefits for weeks, but we will help States navigate those challenges. Challenges caused by Senate Democrats’ refusal to reopen the government. Another vote is this morning. NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO DO THE RIGHT THING! If the government opens, families get their FULL benefit much more quickly.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on compliance with court orders: “The administration is fully complying with the [SNAP] court order,” said Leavitt. “The recipients of these SNAP benefits need to understand it’s going to take some time to receive this money, because the Democrats have forced the administration into a very untenable position. We are digging into a contingency fund that is supposed to be for emergencies, catastrophes, or war… it’s going to take some time…the best way to get the full amount of SNAP benefits to those beneficiaries is for Democrats to reopen the government.”
Oklahoma residents facing food insecurity are encouraged by officials and agencies such as Oklahoma Human Services’ Be a Neighbor program—which connects individuals with local non-profits and community organizations—to seek assistance during this period.
