U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has introduced two bills aimed at maintaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and farm programs during the ongoing government shutdown. The legislative action comes as more than 650,000 Missourians face the possibility of losing access to food benefits next month.
"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."
The first bill, titled the Keep SNAP Funded Act, would ensure continued funding for the SNAP program throughout the shutdown. If passed, the bill would appropriate the necessary funds to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the beginning of the shutdown.
The second bill, called the Fund Farm Programs Act, would reopen all Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and resume services for all FSA programs that farmers depend on. The legislation would appropriate funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide these services retroactively from the start of the shutdown.
According to Hawley’s office, most of those at risk of losing SNAP benefits in Missouri are families with children.
The full text of both bills is available for public review.
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