John xxxxxx, this morning I was at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. It’s one of a handful of food pantries I’ve visited during this prolonged government shutdown.
And – while I am thankful to see how our public servants are stepping up across the state to show love to their communities in this moment – the cruelty that we are seeing from the Trump Administration is undeniable.
Nearly 700,000 Marylanders – including over 270,000 children and 120,000 older adults – are set to lose access to food assistance tomorrow because of the Trump administration’s withholding of emergency funds.
But we refuse to stand by while the federal government makes it harder to put Marylanders food on the table. That’s why today I declared a state of emergency to move $10 million in emergency funding to our food assistance partners across the state.
While the President’s focus is building a $300 million ballroom to host lavish parties for his billionaire buddies, ours is keeping roofs over our federal workers’ heads. It’s keeping our most vulnerable fed. And ensuring that those who raise their hand to serve are treated with the dignity they deserve. Because in Maryland, we leave no one behind.
In moments like this, a little bit of help can go a long way. The state cannot close the gap of federal programs like SNAP, WIC, and TANF alone. So I have to ask:
Let me be perfectly clear: This administration and national Republicans have the power to make this right. Instead, they’re using the hunger of hundreds of thousands of Marylanders as a bargaining chip. It’s outrageous.
Right now, when it counts, I’m determined to do what I can for Maryland. Thank you for standing with me in that fight.
Elevate,
Wes
