1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The ongoing federal government shutdown threatens to leave 42 million Americans without critical food assistance this November. As your constituent, I urge you to take immediate action to pass a budget that ensures the continuation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) before Thanksgiving. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has warned that SNAP will run out of money in just two weeks. The USDA has already instructed states to halt November payments, and 17 states have stopped accepting new applications due to funding uncertainty. This crisis is unfolding at a time when families are preparing for Thanksgiving, a holiday centered around food and gratitude. SNAP provides an average monthly benefit of $188 per person to approximately one in eight Americans. The program's $6 billion contingency fund falls short of the $8 billion needed for November benefits. Without swift action, millions of vulnerable individuals and families will face food insecurity during what should be a time of celebration. The impact of this potential lapse in SNAP funding cannot be overstated. It affects not just the recipients but also local economies that benefit from SNAP spending. As we approach the holiday season, the strain on food banks and charitable organizations will be immense if SNAP benefits are not restored. I implore you to prioritize passing a budget that fully funds SNAP. The deadline is clear: action must be taken before November to prevent a catastrophic lapse in food assistance. Please work across party lines to resolve this impasse and ensure that no American goes hungry this Thanksgiving due to political gridlock. Your leadership on this issue is crucial. I ask that you publicly commit to supporting a budget that maintains SNAP funding and actively work towards its passage in the coming days. The well-being of millions of Americans depends on your swift and decisive action.