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The Agriculture Department posted a striking message on its official website Saturday blaming Senate Democrats for the upcoming suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, warning that millions of Americans will lose access to food assistance beginning Nov. 1 if the government shutdown continues.
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program,” the unsigned message reads. “Bottom line, the well has run dry.”
The statement goes on to accuse Democrats of prioritizing “healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures” over reopening the government, concluding, “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”
The notice — posted under the USDA’s official banner — immediately drew criticism from Democrats, who accused the administration of using federal resources to attack political opponents.
“Using an agency website to push partisan attacks is a blatant violation of the Hatch Act,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who previously raised similar concerns earlier in the shutdown when multiple agencies posted messages blaming Democrats for the lapse in funding. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity in their official capacities.
Asked about the USDA statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s position. “Senate Democrats have shamefully played politics with our nation’s most vulnerable families in order to push health care for illegal immigrants,” Kelly said. “They should reopen the government now to protect these crucial benefits that feed one in eight American citizens.”
The message comes as the government shutdown is poised to enter its fifth week on Wednesday — with both chambers of Congress gridlocked over temporary funding measures.
SNAP benefits have continued through October because those funds were allocated before the shutdown began on Oct. 1. But in a letter dated Oct. 10, Ronald Ward, acting associate administrator for SNAP, warned that “there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals” if the funding lapse persisted.
Both parties have traded blame for the standoff. The House passed a GOP-backed stopgap bill last month to keep the government funded through Nov. 21, but Senate Democrats blocked it 12 times, demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end. Democrats argue that without a long-term extension, health insurance premiums could double for millions.
“An Arizona family of four is going to see their health costs jump $3,500 next year,” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press. “That’s a decision Republicans will have to own.”
Republicans, meanwhile, accuse Democrats of trying to funnel money toward “health care for illegal immigrants” — a claim Democrats reject, noting their proposal would restore access for lawfully present immigrants, including DACA recipients, refugees, and asylum seekers still undergoing legal review.
With less than three weeks before the SNAP cutoff date, the escalating political battle over the shutdown now threatens to disrupt food assistance for tens of millions of Americans — setting up another flashpoint in the standoff between the White House and congressional Democrats.
