Senate Republicans stop Democratic effort to fully fund SNAP benefits amid shutdown

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso on Monday blocked Senate Democrats from attempting to force the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown.

The move comes the same day that the Trump administration announced it would partially fund SNAP benefits after multiple federal judges ordered them to keep the benefits going. A federal judge ordered the administration last week to use roughly $5 billion from the government's emergency fund to cover it.

The Senate Democratic attempt, which was led by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, would have forced the Department of Agriculture to pay out $8 billion to fund November's SNAP benefits. 

“This isn’t lawmaking. It’s a political stunt by the Democrats," Barrasso said, according to The Hill. “The resolution they’re offering is empty. It is meaningless. Democrats knew their actions threatened food assistance. They were fully aware of it ... If Democrats really wanted to help struggling families, they’d stop blocking a clean continuing resolution.” 

The effort comes after funding for the government food assistance program lapsed over the weekend for the first time in its history. Roughly 42 million people currently receive SNAP benefits, averaging $190 per month per person.

President Donald Trump has also expressed support for finding a way to fund SNAP benefits amid the shutdown but said his lawyers are seeking more clarification from the courts on how to legally do so.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.