Governor McKee: President Trump, Congressional Republicans Putting SNAP Food Assistance at Risk for Millions of Americans
140,000 Rhode Islanders Face Potential SNAP Loss Starting November 1 without Federal Action
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today condemned President Trump and Congressional Republicans for their prolonged inaction during the federal government shutdown, which is now threatening federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million Americans across the nation, including approximately 140,000 Rhode Islanders.
The Trump Administration has informed Rhode Island that during the shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture will not distribute SNAP benefits to states, beginning in November. In Rhode Island, the loss of SNAP benefits would mean approximately $29 million in missing nutrition assistance every month or $348 million per year, an astronomical federal cost that Rhode Island cannot absorb.
“President Trump and Congressional Republicans began this shutdown by playing political games with health coverage for millions of Americans. Now, their ongoing inaction is threatening crucial food assistance for those who need it most,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m calling on President Trump to put people over politics and take immediate action to resolve this issue without further delay.”
With local food banks already stretched thin, the Governor today convened municipal leaders to alert them to this potential issue and to ask each municipality to begin outreach to their local food banks. The McKee Administration is currently coordinating an effort to leverage state funding with community partners and philanthropic organizations in order to supplement supplies for Rhode Island food pantries and meal distribution sites. To this end, he is urging Rhode Islanders with available means to donate to their local food pantries, to ensure no Rhode Islander goes hungry.
