Congressman Eric Sorensen of Illinois is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins to use available federal funding to maintain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for millions of Americans amid a potential government shutdown. Sorensen argues that nearly two million Illinois residents, including tens of thousands in the 17th District, risk losing vital food assistance if political deadlock continues. He emphasizes that existing contingency funds should be used, as intended by Congress, to prevent hunger. Nationwide, SNAP supports 42 million people, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans who depend on this lifeline.
“Millions of Illinoisans will go hungry next month because of Republican’s refusal to reopen the government with a plan to lower health care costs and a commitment to help feed families during the shutdown,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Families shouldn’t be suffering because of political games in Washington. There is absolutely no reason for SNAP benefits to be paused during a government shutdown when there is plenty of available funding. Secretary Rollins and Republicans in Congress need to do what is right to ensure my neighbors can put food on the table in November.”
