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This piece is authored by public interest lawyer and a 2026 Congressional candidate (VA-1), Salaam Bhatti, creator of A Paycheck Away. Subscribe to his work to start your journey towards ending poverty by learning about issues, exploring solutions, and ways you can act. Don’t forget to vote in Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025.
I asked my friend at his kids’ birthday party, “How much do you think the average SNAP benefit per person per day is?” He replied, “I don’t know, $80?” I told him, “It’s $6.16.” His eyes nearly jumped out of his face and he said, “THAT’S the amount they’re trying to cut?! What is there to gain from that?”
This was before the Big Beautiful Bill. Now, Republicans are on the cusp of achieving their fantasy: ending SNAP entirely. Now, over 42 million Americans and an entire economy —from farmers to grocery stores —are about to face a $9 billion loss in November.
How did we get here?
Republicans are really good at lying, picking fights, winning arguments, and getting people on board with what they want to do - but once they get there, they have absolutely no plan. Historically, these lies have destabilized regions around the world with millions of innocents killed. Case in point: 20-year-long war in Iraq/Afghanistan based on a lie, cost over $3 trillion, millions killed. All for what? Not a damn thing.
Now that pattern is coming home.
The government shutdown is the icing on the cake of an entire year devoted to destabilizing the US government. Republicans used a chainsaw as a seam ripper to destroy the American quilt through layoffs, firings, and the Big Beautiful Bill. Now, Republicans face no urgency to reopen the government. They have handed power over to the President, letting him do whatever he desires - which is exponentially dangerous considering he’s a felonious pedophile.
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What happens next?
Among many devastating consequences, one impact of the government shutdown is that SNAP benefits can’t be transferred from the federal government to the states because the government lacks a budget - not to be confused with how Republicans lack a spine. Republicans kept putting through “continuing resolutions” (kicking the can down the road) instead of making a budget, which is quite literally their job. While a contingency fund exists primarily to fund SNAP benefits during a shutdown, the White House claims it cannot be used because the appropriations for SNAP benefits no longer exist, because there’s no budget.
Was there a budget for $40 billion to go to Argentina? Was there a budget for a $300 million ballroom? Was there a budget for adding $1 trillion to the U.S. debt in mere weeks?
In the words of a song from High School Musical, “No, no, no.”
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This November, over 42 million Americans will lose SNAP benefits just in time for the holiday season. Some states, like Virginia, may try to make up the difference, but it’s not sustainable and certainly not replicable for poorer states. SNAP benefits are typically exhausted by the third week of the month. The fourth week is a stretch week for these families. So, we’re already in a critical moment for millions of families.
Come November, parents will not only skip meals, but things will get dire enough that children will be skipping meals. When these children get hungry in schools, they’ll act out in different ways (as any of us do when we’re hangry), which disrupts the class and leads to them facing school discipline issues, which starts a school-to-prison pipeline chain effect.
All because Republicans wanted to protect pedophiles, fund a ballroom bunker, and give money to other nations.
But wait, there’s more! SNAP doesn’t only help 42 million Americans. Everyone from the farmer/manufacturer-to-grocery store supply chain benefits from the ~$9 billion/month. Every SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity. This is money that isn’t hoarded like a tax cut for the wealthy. It is spent within weeks. This helps grocery stores hire staff, pay the truck driver who transports the food, and pays the farmer to grow the food. SNAP does more for the economy than tax cuts for the wealthy ever have.
What do we do?
Donate Money to Food Banks
Food banks do not have the infrastructure to take on the hole left by SNAP. For every meal a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine. But, food banks are all we have to combat the need before us. For every dollar we donate, they can provide 3-4 meals.
Volunteer at Food Banks
Food banks have seen a massive increase in traffic over the year. They’ve had to stand up mobile/satellite locations to meet people where they are. As a result, the need for volunteers has increased. Donate your time to help our neighbors.
Apps to help find grocery deals
Flashfood and Too Good to Go are two options to find discounted groceries. Do you know of others? Leave them in the comments below!
Finally, when Congressional elections happen next year, remember in November who did this. This is the immediate harm, the Big Beautiful Bill made changes to SNAP which will be realized in the next couple years. Republicans betrayed the American people and they must pay.
 | A guest post by
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