WNEM: Democratic MI lawmakers suggest solution to potential food stamp suspension

LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) – Sounding the alarm on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with just days before food stamps are suspended for millions, Democratic Michigan lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to act.

They warn that without SNAP benefits, hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents, including children, could go hungry.

In the face of the government shutdown, Kristen McDonald Rivet and other Democratic lawmakers are suggesting a solution.

They said that the United States Department of Agriculture has contingency funds that have already been authorized by congress, which can be used to continue snap benefits and ensure people in Michigan do not go hungry.

McDonald Rivet is urging the Trump administration to keep the SNAP benefits available to those who need them.

“While we fight for a budget that lowers costs and addresses skyrocketing health care premiums, the administration is making a deliberate decision to let families go hungry,” said McDonald Rivet. “Congress previously appropriated emergency funds that should allow snap benefits to continue to feed hungry families. The trump administration needs to use them.”

The letter from the lawmakers says in part the following:

“SNAP is one of the most proven tools to effectively reduce food insecurity throughout our nation. As such, the USDA must utilize its contingency fund to empower Americans in putting nutritious meals on tables while lifting families–who are already struggling to afford housing, health care, and other critical bills–out of poverty. SNAP is vital for families and individuals’ access to food across Michigan, with approximately 13 percent of Michigan households, or 1.4 million people, receiving these benefits… By directing MDHHS to temporarily pause the issuance of these critical SNAP benefits in November, USDA will be putting Michigan’s most vulnerable in harm’s way.”

A USDA memo that surfaced Friday said that contingency funds are not available to cover regular benefits, stating the following in part:

“Democrats have refused to pass the CR and fund regular monthly benefits for fiscal year (FY) 2026. SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits. The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists.

Instead, the contingency fund is a source of funds for contingencies, such as the Disaster SNAP program, which provides food purchasing benefits for individuals in disaster areas, including natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, that can come on quickly and without notice. For example, Hurricane Melissa is currently swirling in the Caribbean and could reach Florida. Having funds readily available allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to mobilize quickly in the days and weeks following a disaster. The document said the money is reserved for things such as helping people in disaster areas.”

This all stems from the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and is now the second-longest on record. The Trump administration blames Democrats, who said they will not agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans said Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before negotiation.