Agriculture Department Posts Stunning Notice That SNAP Benefits Are Ending

(AP Photo/Allison Dinner)

The Department of Agriculture has officially informed Americans that there will be no food assistance benefits issued on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown.

The stunning notice blaming Democrats for the lapse in benefits was posted to its web site on Sunday, saying:

Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.

The federal government estimates that up to 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, to feed their families.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin (R) preempted the announcement by declaring a state of emergency.

“The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025. I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need,” Youngkin said in a press release, adding that the Commonwealth will provide food benefits until the government shutdown is over and benefits are restored.

Congressional Democrats have refused to reopen the government until Republicans agree to discuss extending tax credits for Americans using the Affordable Care Act for health insurance.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) claimed that without the subsidies, insurance rates will become out of reach for millions of Americans.

“The typical couple, 55 years old, who makes about $85,000 a year, will pay $25,000 more in healthcare. That’s astounding; that’s enough to bankrupt working families, drain someone’s entire retirement savings, or force someone to go without healthcare at all. What a horrible choice,” Schumer said.

CNN reported that the USDA will not rely on its $6 billion contingency fund to cover food stamp benefits.

Many Republicans agree that the health care system is broken, but won’t negotiate with Democrats until the government reopens.

The post ‘The Well Has Run Dry’: Agriculture Department Posts Stunning Notice That SNAP Benefits Are Ending first appeared on Mediaite.