Horsford Praises Judge’s Ruling for SNAP Recipients to Continue Receiving Benefits During GOP Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford released the following statement today after Judge John J. McConnell, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the Trump administration must use $6 billion in Congressionally appropriated emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure SNAP recipients continue receiving benefits during the Republican-led government shutdown.

“It’s a dark day when it takes a federal judge’s ruling to stop this administration from harming its own people, but that’s where we are,” Rep. Horsford said. “I’m grateful that Judge McConnell applied the law clearly and validated the Congressional intent of the SNAP emergency fund. I urge the Trump administration to adhere to Judge McConnell’s ruling immediately – 500,000 Nevadans who rely on SNAP deserve better than to have elected leaders use them as political pawns.”

Today’s ruling comes at the same time as another lawsuit brought by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and 24 other Attorneys General demanding the administration act to protect vulnerable Americans from going hungry during the Republican Shutdown. Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture announced that no food aid would go out November 1st, despite the SNAP emergency fund having $6 billion in it.

Rep. Horsford sent a letter yesterday to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins urging her to use the $6 billion contingency fund.

He previously led a letter to Governor Lombardo signed by his fellow Nevada Congressional Democrats, Reps. Titus (NV-01) and Lee (NV-03), urging the governor to do everything within his power, including calling for a Special Session of the Legislature, to protect SNAP recipients.

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