Lamont, 20 Other Governors Urge Trump To Restore SNAP Funding Before November

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont joined 20 other governors this week in urging President Donald Trump to immediately release federal emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), warning that millions of Americans could lose access to food assistance starting Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In a letter sent to the White House, the governors called on the administration to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use contingency reserves and transfer authority to continue providing SNAP benefits. The USDA notified states last week that regular funding for the program would be suspended in November unless Congress appropriated new spending or the administration released emergency reserves.

The shutdown, now in its fourth week, has halted many federal operations as negotiations inside Congress remain at an impasse over budget priorities. Without an approved spending bill, several federal nutrition and housing programs—including SNAP, which supports about 42 million people nationwide, and around 360,000 in Connecticut—face temporary suspension.

Related: Connecticut SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm

“SNAP is more than a food assistance program—it is a lifeline,” the governors wrote. “It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers, and strengthens our communities and economy.”

The coalition of governors said the loss of food aid would have “catastrophic” effects on vulnerable households and local economies. SNAP benefits support an estimated 388,000 jobs across the country, generate more than $20 billion in wages, and contribute about $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue, the letter said.

The governors also criticized a USDA memo issued Oct. 24 that classified the use of contingency funds to pay November SNAP benefits as unlawful, effectively blocking states from issuing aid.

“Rather than allow millions of Americans to go hungry next month, we demand that USDA immediately release the multi-year contingency SNAP funding and supplement any shortfall,” the letter stated.

Related: Critical Benefits For 360K CT Residents Could Soon Be Halted Due To Government Shutdown

Lamont joined governors from Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Maine, New York, New Mexico, Illinois, Maryland, Kansas, Kentucky, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Rhode Island, and North Carolina in signing the letter.

They urged the Trump administration to act before the Nov. 1 cutoff, warning that “every day of delay brings us a day closer to tens of millions of our fellow Americans going hungry.”