STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York is fast-tracking tens of millions of dollars in emergency food funds to help feed the millions of state residents who are set to potentially lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits later this week as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Earlier this month, the federal government directed states to withhold issuing SNAP benefits for the month of November unless the government shutdown has been resolved.
That means nearly three million New York residents who receive SNAP benefits, including 121,536 in Congressional District 11, which covers Staten Island, could lose access to them beginning Nov. 1.
With that in mind, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that she is fast-tracking $30 million in state funds to support more than 16 million meals, with the governor noting this would be the first time in U.S. history that a federal administration has halted food assistance during a government shutdown.
“I am doing everything in my power to soften the blow of the destruction Republicans in Washington are inflicting on our state,” Hochul said. “While I’ve said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season and am taking action to support the families suffering the consequences of Republicans’ cruelty.”
While Hochul and other Democrats continue to criticize the Trump administration’s refusal to release federal funding to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown, Republicans are blaming Democrats for allowing the shutdown to continue.
Earlier this month, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis called on Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to deliver the votes necessary to end the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1 after representatives were unable to reach an agreement while passing a bill to allocate funds.
Republicans proposed a short-term funding bill through Nov. 21, but many Democrats argued that it failed to address critical health care concerns.
Specifically, Democrats are pushing to reverse Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump’s summer legislation and to extend tax credits that help millions afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Republicans dismissed the demands, estimating the cost to taxpayers would exceed $1 trillion. As of now, both sides remain firm and without compromise.
“There is no reason for this to continue and we call on Senator Schumer to do the right thing, vote for the same bill you voted for four times before, the same bill that you negotiated and you’ve extended three times,” she said.
On Friday, Malliotakis penned a letter to Hochul urging her to call on Schumer and Gillibrand to help put an end to the shutdown before SNAP benefits are impacted later this week.
“Starting November 1st, low-income, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients could begin to go without food assistance as a result of Senate Democrats’ decision to shut the government down. These benefits are not abstract figures, they represent families striving to make ends meet, children who rely on consistent access to healthy food, and seniors who would otherwise face hunger,” wrote Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn.
“We respectfully urge you to use your voice and leadership to encourage Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to support a clean continuing resolution that keeps the federal government funded at existing levels. Doing so will ensure that programs like SNAP and WIC continue uninterrupted, protecting New York’s most vulnerable residents and preventing needless hardship for families who can least afford it,” she continued.
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