Senate Republicans Split Over SNAP Benefits
A division is forming within the Senate Republican caucus regarding the potential expiration of benefits tied to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) this weekend.
During the recent government shutdown, Republicans maintained a united front, backing the House-passed governmental reopening measures multiple times. However, opinions differ when it comes to SNAP, which could potentially leave millions in need without vital support.
The cutoff of food aid is anticipated to impact approximately 42 million Americans, including a significant number in Republican-held states.
“We have to figure something out for these 40 million people. This Saturday could be a real disaster,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) remarked, highlighting the urgency surrounding the SNAP funding deadline.
In response, Hawley proposed the SNAP Funding Preservation Act to ensure continuous SNAP benefits retroactively dating back to the beginning of the shutdown. The bill has garnered 14 Republican co-sponsors, a noteworthy figure within the Senate Republican ranks.
Despite this, many Republicans are against extending SNAP funding during the government shutdown, arguing that the Democrats are to blame for the situation. They assert that Democrats obstructed the House Republican funding bill, thereby triggering the SNAP expiration.
Vice President Vance advised Republican senators at a recent meeting to steer clear of narrow legislation that would fund SNAP and other federal branches while the government remains shut down.
Republicans aim to exert pressure on Democrats to resolve the shutdown, while Democrats contend they opposed the Republican bill to advocate for the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies set to lapse at the year’s end.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) expressed her desire to keep SNAP benefits flowing even amidst the shutdown, simultaneously intensifying pressure on Senate Democrats to back a straightforward continuing resolution to reopen the government as food aid funds are on the verge of expiring.
“We need to ensure SNAP benefits continue without disruption,” she told The Hill.
Murkowski emphasized that the withdrawal of SNAP funds would particularly impact Alaskan Native communities.
“In many remote villages, a staggering 60 percent of store patrons rely on SNAP. So, the repercussions are significant for Indigenous populations across the country,” she explained.
About 1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives are expected to struggle when federal food assistance funding comes to an end on November 1st.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a supporter of Hawley’s initiative, critiqued the Trump administration’s new interpretation, claiming it lacks authority to access a $5 billion SNAP emergency fund established by Congress for low-income nutrition assistance during crises.
“It seems like a recent twist for the USDA to claim this reserve can’t back SNAP benefits,” she commented, alluding to a memo shared by the USDA.
“I doubt this is an Agriculture Department opinion. It appears to be influenced by OMB, and we’re looking into it with their legal advisors,” she added.
Collins has voiced her support for Hawley’s proposal to fund SNAP benefits throughout the government shutdown.
Additional Republican senators backing Hawley’s bill include Sen. James Lankford (Oklahoma), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), and others from various states.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune was initially open to the prospect of voting on relief legislation that would support essential government activities amidst the shutdown.
Last week, he intended to back a bill aimed at compensating active-duty military, air traffic controllers, and other personnel. However, this measure was thwarted, receiving a 54-45 vote, with three Democrats supporting it.
Since then, Thune has shifted his stance against voting on individual funding legislation amid the ongoing shutdown.
When questioned about the potential for a vote on Hawley’s SNAP funding bill, Thune responded, “I believe we need to prioritize a vote on reopening the government.”
Sources suggest Thune’s change in perspective comes amid growing concerns that the White House and some Senate members prefer not to ease the pressure on Democrats to conclude the government shutdown.
Vance advised colleagues to avoid any targeted bills for funding SNAP or similar matters, arguing that passing such bills could pressure House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to reconvene the House to deliberate on Senate-passed legislation, which might undermine the Republicans’ strategy to isolate Senate Democrats.
Discussions concerning the next steps have also unfolded in Thune’s office, leading him to abandon plans for a SNAP funding vote during the shutdown.
“We will consider the states’ preferences moving forward, but my stance has been clear: fund SNAP and reopen the government,” he remarked.
Other Republican senators are supporting Thune’s and the White House’s position, asserting that advancing a SNAP funding bill now could politically benefit Democrats and extend the shutdown.
“We’re allowing too much leeway,” a Republican senator commented anonymously about internal strategies, emphasizing the importance of pressuring the government for a resolution. “It’s painful knowing young mothers are struggling to feed their kids.”
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) suggested pursuing a spending bill to finance the Department of Agriculture into fiscal year 2026 instead of a temporary fix for SNAP.
“There’s a committee bill addressing this issue. Why settle for a short-term solution? I see the merit in what Josh is trying to accomplish, but there’s bipartisan support for a real fix,” he stated.
Thune also opposed a request from Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján (New Mexico) to unanimously pass a measure funding SNAP and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Republican leaders have accused Democrats of engaging in political maneuvering during heated floor discussions.
“It’s been nearly a month since the Democratic shutdown began, and the New Mexico senator rightly points out that SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without meals. Families deserve a paycheck, but we tried 13 times, and each time, you blocked it,” Thune declared passionately.
Thune has scheduled 13 votes on a clean continuing resolution to fund the government through November 21, but Democrats have consistently opposed it, citing health care cost concerns as a key issue.
