Shutdown Impacting WIC, SNAP

The federal government shutdown is starting to drain key USDA nutrition programs that were at the heart of Farm Bill and spending fights on Capitol Hill.  According to Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, WIC and SNAP are running out of money.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently sent a letter to the states, including Texas, announcing they will not be able to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP due to the lapse in Congressional appropriations,” Cornyn said.

Cornyn says SNAP and WIC can operate during a shutdown only if there’s funding, and WIC has some temporary funds.

“But once those funds are dried up, it’s simply not possible for them to continue providing benefits. The guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that it directs states to pause those payments for the program.”

Separately, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved with technical changes the House-passed five-year reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, after key funding and inspection mandates were set to expire last month.

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