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Dear Neighbors,
We are approaching the fifth week of the shutdown of the federal government in Washington D.C., where Republicans control the Presidency and both houses of Congress. So far, President Donald Trump and GOP leadership in Congress have refused to take any meaningful action toward ending the shutdown. With a "trifecta" in D.C., it's unacceptable for them to continue this shutdown amid an affordability crisis they created. Prices continue to rise for families, and now many people are on the verge of skyrocketing health care premiums and a pause on critical food support.
More than 440,000 Minnesotans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table. Nearly a fourth of those figures represent our neighbors in Hennepin County. If Congress does not act by tomorrow, funding will run out for these critical food benefits. This potential pause in SNAP aid is on top of the new paperwork requirements for SNAP recipients while previous exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and youth aging out of foster care have been eliminated. These burdensome requirements will serve as a barrier to Minnesotans getting the food they need.
The Trump Administration has access to an emergency contingency fund to keep people fed through November, but are refusing to use it. It’s a choice to slash funding for the most vulnerable in our society in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires. I’m glad Governor Walz delivered $4 million in emergency dollars to our state’s food shelf network; it’s a small drop in the bucket compared to the overwhelming need, but if D.C. won't act, Minnesota will.
If you or someone you know needs help with food this fall, Hunger Solutions has a list of statewide food shelves and additional resources here. If you’re able to, please consider making a contribution to a local food shelf, like Second Harvest Heartland. They’re already struggling to meet the demand, and the longer the uncertainty around SNAP continues, the more pressure they will face.
Please keep the emails and phone calls coming. It’s important to hear from you and what you’re experiencing during this Trump government shutdown and how I can help.
Stronger together,
Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley
State Representative
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