1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

The impending lapse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Saturday demands immediate action. I urge you to support and pass a standalone bill to keep federal food assistance funded through November. This is not a partisan issue; it's a matter of preventing a manufactured hunger crisis that will affect millions of Americans. Senator Ben Ray Luján has introduced legislation to direct the USDA to release $5 billion in emergency funding for SNAP. This solution is both practical and necessary. Despite Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins' claims that this can only be done for natural disasters, previous statements contradict this assertion. The law allows for such action, and it's imperative that we utilize all available means to prevent widespread hunger. The current political maneuvering is unacceptable. Senate Majority Leader John Thune's suggestion that Democrats must vote for a previously rejected continuing resolution to ensure SNAP benefits continue is a form of political coercion that puts vulnerable Americans at risk. This tactic has been rightly described as "weaponizing hunger" by Senate Democrats. It's crucial to note that 62% of the Senate - 47 Democrats and 15 Republicans - are willing to act on this issue. The fact that Republican Congressional leadership is blocking this majority from passing necessary legislation is deeply concerning and undemocratic. Time is of the essence. Over two dozen Democratic-led states have already sued the USDA for withholding contingency funds. Senators, including Bernie Sanders, have held press conferences demanding the release of emergency funding. The No Kings Alliance is even preparing mutual aid efforts to help feed affected families - a clear indication that civil society recognizes the gravity of this situation. I implore you to break this deadlock. Support a standalone SNAP funding bill, similar to the one proposed by Senator Josh Hawley, which was unjustly rejected. This is not about political victories; it's about preventing hunger in America. Act now to ensure that millions of Americans, including many in your constituency, do not lose access to essential food assistance. The consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore.