House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) issued a statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown.
Arrington praised the administration, saying, “Today’s decision to provide funding for SNAP benefits is yet another example of the Trump Administration stepping up to protect vulnerable Americans from the disastrous impact of the Democrat shutdown.”
He criticized Democrats for their role in the shutdown, stating, “But make no mistake, while Democrats continue to play politics, Americans are paying the price. Children are going without critical child care services, seniors are suffering without access to telehealth appointments, and air traffic controllers and TSA agents are working without pay, causing staffing shortages and disruptions across the country. And according to the independent, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Schumer Shutdown will affect every American by increasing unemployment, lowering wages, and leaving hardworking families with less money in their pockets.”
Arrington also noted that using contingency funds for SNAP is only a temporary solution. “Using contingency funds to keep some benefits flowing is a temporary reprieve from a full SNAP funding crisis caused by Democrats’ political games. This fabricated crisis could end today if Senate Democrats would stop holding essential services hostage and simply agree to reopen the government,” he said.
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that government shutdowns can have widespread economic effects such as higher unemployment and lower wages.
