Senate Democrats call on Thune to allow voting on bills to fund food stamp program

Senate Democrats are gearing up to introduce legislation to extend food aid benefits during the government shutdown ahead of a Saturday cutoff.

The legislation, led by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, New Mexico Democrat, is similar to a bipartisan plan led by Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican.

The latter would push the Agriculture and Treasury departments to fully fund November benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Nearly 42 million people rely on SNAP money to buy food each month.

The food stamp program, which has expanded in recent years, is taking over conversations amid the government shutdown, as millions may be cut off from federal aid beginning Saturday.

Mr. Lujan’s bill would require the Trump administration to fund SNAP and WIC, another food aid program for low-income women and children. Additionally, it would require states to be reimbursed by the feds for funding benefits during the shutdown.

On Tuesday, 25 states and the District of Columbia announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration to force it to fund food stamps despite the shutdown. This challenges the administration’s position that it can’t tap into the contingency funds.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said she and Mr. Lujan support both bills and are asking Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota to call up either legislation.

The House has been out of session since Sept. 19.

“They’re not calling it up because the House isn’t here to pass it. That’s the way it works. The House would have to come here,” Ms. Klobuchar said. “They probably would have to vote on the Epstein files, but they’re choosing to let kids go hungry instead of having to vote on the Epstein files. There’s no doubt about it.”

Ms. Klobuchar said she knows 60 votes are available to pass either bill.

“I’m confident it will pass the Senate floor. Maybe that’ll force House Republicans to come back on this subject,” Mr. Lujan said.

Senate Democratic leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said Republicans have been on a crusade against SNAP all year. 

“They’ve never wanted SNAP, and they don’t want it now,” he said. “But again, they’re using these 40 million innocent people as pawns. It’s a disgrace. They can end it right now.”