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The Democrat Government Shutdown has been going on for 26 days and continues to negatively affect Iowans and the entire country. Families are struggling to pay their bills, small businesses are losing critical revenue, and federal employees who work hard for our community are working without pay or are furloughed.
Now with the continued shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is at risk of having a lack of funding. 267,000 Iowans, including over 100,000 children could lose SNAP because Democrats refuse to reopen the government. While the program's benefits for October are being paid out, federal officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have said there will be no federal funding for SNAP in November if the shutdown does not end. This means many children could go without quality food because Democrats are willing to let American families suffer to gain political leverage.
Food banks and pantries across Iowa are already experiencing increased demand and they will not be able to meet the needs since more people are requiring assistance because of the shutdown. If SNAP funding runs out, food banks will be too overrun and unable to fill this gap leaving countless Iowans hungry. This is unacceptable that Democrats are okay with their citizens suffering if it means they can get leverage in political games.
I have visited many food banks in Iowa and this past March I stopped by a local food pantry and the Iowa Food Bank Association where I saw first-hand the hard work that is put in and the amount of people they help. These food banks benefit so many families and make sure they have access to good, healthy food. Their work fighting hunger across our state is making a real impact, and it’s an honor to support their efforts.
WIC the supplemental program for Women, Infants, and Children may also lose funding if the Democrat Government Shutdown continues. This program provides food, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals for children up to age 5. These funds are incredibly important to new mothers to be able to get formula, diapers, and food for their children. Democrats are putting these children’s lives at risk and are not caring about their quality of nutrition. I will continue to stand up for the funding of WIC and SNAP.
I voted to pass the Clean CR through the House of Representatives and have supported opening the government and continuing funding for these essential programs. I also introduced the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 to ensure full funding for the SNAP Program during the government shutdown. This bill will let Congress appropriate funding to the SNAP program to resume their services, ensuring uninterrupted assistance.
The Senate Democrats must stop playing games and reopen the government so that we can ensure no child goes hungry and no parent worries about feeding their child. SNAP funding needs to continue to help support these families, but the Democrats have chosen to vote against a clean, bi-partisan CR for the 12th time.
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