Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at maintaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and critical farm programs during the ongoing government shutdown. The proposed bills seek to prevent disruptions in food assistance and agricultural services for Missourians and others affected by the funding lapse.

“Since the Democrats refuse to fund the government, I’m introducing legislation to reinstate food stamps and farm programs immediately,” said Senator Hawley. “Missourians shouldn’t go hungry because of the Left’s incompetence. Our kids deserve to eat.”

According to Hawley, more than 650,000 residents of Missouri could lose access to food benefits in the coming month due to the failure to secure government funding. He noted that most of those at risk are families with children.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act would allocate the necessary funding to continue SNAP benefits without interruption throughout the shutdown. The bill would also apply retroactively to the beginning of the funding gap. Similarly, the Fund Farm Programs Act would direct funds to reopen all Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and resume services for all FSA programs that farmers depend on. Funding under this bill would also be retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

The full text of the Keep SNAP Funded Act and the Fund Farm Programs Act is available for public review.