John,

As the Trump shutdown approaches one month, the administration is choosing not to follow the law, telling states to brace for cuts to SNAP benefits beginning November 1st―even as past administrations have protected SNAP benefits during shutdowns, utilizing contingency funds as required by law to keep vulnerable households from going hungry.¹ And we know the administration has other options to transfer enough funds to cover full November SNAP benefits.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is defending its $40 billion bailout of the Argentina government, which is really a bailout for Trump’s wealthy Wall Street friends who made risky investments on Argentina’s economy―including one hedge fund billionaire who is close friends with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.²

Instead of bailouts for friends in foreign governments, we need affordable health care and food for people here at home. But, of course, the purpose of so many of Trump’s policies is to enrich his billionaire buddies while inflicting pain and suffering on vulnerable communities and federal workers.

To help federal workers who just missed another paycheck, the Coalition on Human Needs is partnering with The Labor Force to send grocery cards to federal workers. Click here to split your donation and help federal workers put food on the table as the shutdown nears one month.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately, split between The Labor Force and Coalition on Human Needs:

$10 - Peanut Butter & Jelly

$25 - Lunches for one kid for a week

$50 - Household goods

$100 - A week of dinners

$250 - A whole load of groceries

other amount

Together, we’re demanding policies that put people first, including lowering the cost of health care and food for everyday people. And we’re not forgetting that federal workers do the jobs that bring needed services to our people―in fact, about 730,000 have been required to work for weeks without a paycheck, while another 670,000 are furloughed.

In all the ways that you are standing up for basic needs, we thank you for your support,

Meredith Dodson
Senior Director of Public Policy, CHN Action

¹ The Trump Administration Can and Should Take Available Steps to Ensure SNAP Participants Get November Food Benefits
² The REAL Reason Trump Is Giving Argentina $20 Billion, Part 1
³ Here’s who’s getting paid — and who isn’t — during the federal government shutdown

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

When the government shutdown for 17 days in 2013, President Obama canceled an overseas trip to stay in Washington and negotiate with Republicans to re-open the government.

We’re now 24 days into this latest shutdown and where is the House of Representatives? AWOL―Speaker Johnson has kept them out of DC since September 19, giving new meaning to the old saying “My way or the highway.” President Trump is tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make way for a big ballroom. What they aren’t doing is coming to the table to negotiate a bipartisan deal to address skyrocketing health costs and re-open the government.

As Trump and congressional Republicans refuse to negotiate with Democratic leaders, today hundreds of thousands of federal workers just missed another paycheck. Whether it’s essential workers like those who keep our Social Security checks coming while not getting paid themselves, or furloughed workers from whom Trump is threatening to illegally withhold back pay―these are regular working people who still need to put food on the table and keep up with their bills.

That’s why the Coalition on Human Needs is partnering with The Labor Force to send grocery cards to thousands of federal workers who aren’t getting paid. Some are forced to work without pay, some are receiving lay-off notices, or being told that the administration may not provide back pay after the shutdown ends, contrary to what the law requires.

Click here to support federal workers who just want to do their jobs, but are now thrust into hardship. Your donation will be split between The Labor Force and CHN.

SPLIT A DONATION

While Democrats are demanding Republicans keep health care affordable and accessible for tens of millions of Americans, Republicans appear content to let the shutdown continue as the pain mounts for our communities and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are either sent home, forced to work without pay, or threatened with firing.

With roughly two-thirds of American households living paycheck to paycheck, federal workers along with others need help right now just to put food on the table.

Let’s help federal workers put food on the table as the Trump shutdown continues with no end in sight. Click here to split a donation between The Labor Force and the Coalition on Human Needs to send grocery cards to federal workers.