Nutrition Assistance Expected to Expire for Tens of Millions Throughout Prolonged Government Closure
The United States Department of Agriculture stated this past weekend that monthly food benefits from a major federal social assistance programs are not going out in November because of the continuing government funding lapse.
Impasse Persists Through Its Third Week
The funding lapse had reached three and a half weeks as officials revealed the news, in response to appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats asking agriculture officials to tap into contingency funds to fund November's food assistance.
“The reality is, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans depend on these monthly payments, per federal data. In certain states, including one southwestern state, use of this assistance reaches one-fifth of the population.
Documents reviewed by a major news agency showed that federal authorities decided against using reserve funds to cover next month's assistance.
Political Stalemate
Congressional leaders remain deadlocked about the way to fund and reopen the federal government.
Remarks from the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that federal leadership had chances to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to acted earlier to make arrangements to utilize available money,” the statement continued. “Instead, they might decide against it in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to influence Democratic senators to vote for legislation that would resume the federal government.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from two affected states declared states of emergency this week to allocate funds to combat potential hunger in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.
