For Immediate Release: 
November 7, 2025

[email protected] 

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Condemns Trump’s Decision to Withhold SNAP Funds During the Shutdown

Directs Local Families to Food Resources and Community Support

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement today:

“I am outraged that President Trump decided to withhold contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), during the government shutdown. SNAP – which is known as CalFresh in California – provides vital nutrition assistance to 42 million Americans. While a federal court overruled this decision and further litigation may be pending, the President’s decision has created uncertainty for more than five million Californians, who may be unable to use their CalFresh benefits beginning November 1st.

“This decision came after conservatives in Washington decided to shut down the government and ignored Democrats in the process. Republicans control the US House of Representatives, the US Senate, and the White House. Speaker Mike Johnson canceled all previously scheduled House votes just days before the shutdown began on October 1st. Since then, the Speaker has not brought the House back into session to allow conservatives and Democrats to meet and end this painful government shutdown.

“In July, conservatives passed what President Trump called the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ into law, without any support from Democratic Members of Congress. There was nothing beautiful about the bill that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, cut $186 billion from SNAP and nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and made it easier for billionaires to pay less in taxes. Now, a month into the government shutdown, these same conservatives are refusing to meet with Democrats to reopen the government.

“The American people deserve better!

“I will continue to fight hard for each of you to ensure we have a functioning government that benefits all Americans. Below you’ll find important information about where you can find food assistance and other types of community support during the shutdown.”

Food Resources During the Shutdown

For those in need of immediate food assistance, you can locate your local food pantry by calling 211 or visiting LAFoodBank.org for locations throughout LA County. 211 is Los Angeles County's comprehensive social services resource directory and can also help seniors with locating Senior Centers and other programs that offer food assistance. Residents of the City of Los Angeles can also dial 311 for City of LA services including Family Source Centers that help provide weekly food distributions if you meet their low-income threshold. For more information, visit LA4Families.org. Seniors in the City of LA can also call the Department of Aging at 213-482-7252 for more services referrals.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC is a federally funded program that provides free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals. You may qualify in California if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding/chestfeeding, recently had a baby or care for a child under 5, have low-to-moderate income or receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, or CalFresh, and live in California. Working families, farmworkers, and furloughed federal employees may also qualify. You can visit a WIC office or call 800-852-5770.

Additional Community Support

Local school districts and non-profit organizations are also offering support. Please contact your child’s school district for more information. You can also contact your city hall if you live in cities in the 43rd District to learn of any resources they may be offering or are aware of, including the cities of Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale, Compton, and Torrance.

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