Johnson Backs Trump on SNAP Aid Freeze Amid Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Speaker Mike Johnson supports the Trump administration’s refusal to use emergency funds to prevent a lapse in SNAP food aid, risking benefits for 42 million Americans. Democrats are urging action as the November 1 deadline looms, but GOP leaders are standing firm in the broader shutdown standoff. Pressure is mounting from within both parties as hunger, missed paychecks, and economic disruption become imminent.
Food Aid Cliff Nears as GOP Blocks Emergency Funding: Quick Looks
- Speaker Mike Johnson backs Trump decision not to use contingency funds for SNAP
- 42 million Americans at risk of losing food aid starting Nov. 1
- White House says emergency nutrition funds are not legally accessible
- SNAP benefits have never lapsed during previous shutdowns
- Some Republicans privately support using funds to avert disaster
- Senate Republicans consider standalone bill for SNAP funding
- Democrats blame Trump and GOP for playing politics with food aid
- Union representing 800K federal workers demands immediate end to shutdown
- Other services impacted: troops’ pay, air travel delays, ACA hikes
- Shutdown entering fifth week with no deal in sight
Deep Look
Speaker Johnson Sides with Trump as 42 Million Face Food Aid Cuts
WASHINGTON — As the government shutdown drags into its fifth week, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday threw his support behind the Trump administration’s refusal to use contingency funding to prevent a catastrophic lapse in SNAP (food stamp) benefits for over 42 million low-income Americans.
“I got a summary of the whole legal analysis, and it certainly looks legitimate to me,” Johnson said at a press conference.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is scheduled to run out of funding by November 1, unless Congress approves a stopgap funding bill. But while some had hoped the administration might tap emergency reserves to avert the crisis, the White House confirmed in a Friday memo that it will not seek access to those funds, warning the program will pause unless lawmakers act.
Legal Dispute Over Contingency Funds
At the heart of the dispute is a $5 billion contingency fund for SNAP. Democrats — and some quiet Republican voices — argue the administration can and should access it to maintain benefits through the shutdown.
Johnson, however, echoed the Trump administration’s legal justification: that the fund is not legally available for current use and would have to be replenished through reappropriation. He further claimed that using these funds could pull money away from school meals and infant formula programs.
“They represent a finite source of funds,” Johnson said. “Transferring funds pulls it away immediately from school meals and infant formula.”
Historic First: SNAP Benefits at Risk
SNAP benefits have never lapsed, even during past shutdowns. If they do this time, the fallout would hit millions of households, including large swaths of rural America, communities of color, and Trump-voting districts.
“Piecemeal funding is not the way this should be done,” said Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), whose district relies heavily on food assistance. “Senate Democrats need to vote to pass the clean CR and stop holding the American people hostage.”
“This is a manufactured crisis,” said one senior Democratic aide. “They want the shutdown pain to escalate.”
Republican Division Emerges
Behind the scenes, more than a dozen GOP lawmakers said they privately expect the Trump administration or state governors to shift funds at the last moment to avoid mass hunger.
“I find it hard to believe a department with so many slush funds can’t find the money for a month of SNAP benefits,” said one Republican lawmaker anonymously.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise indicated the administration is doing what it can:
“They’re doing everything they can right now,” he said. “Obviously, there are limits. The easiest way to solve it is to open the government.”
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate Republican, said he supports tapping emergency funds to “alleviate harm.” He also backed the idea of the House returning from recess to pass a standalone bill — if the Senate acts first.
“I figure the Speaker would want to, and I’d support it,” Bacon said.
Standalone SNAP Bill Gaining Support
In the Senate, several Republicans — including Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) — have floated the idea of a standalone bill to extend SNAP funding during the shutdown.
But GOP leadership remains divided over whether to pursue “rifle-shot bills” to ease specific pain points, or force Democrats to accept the House-passed continuing resolution in full.
Union Demands Shutdown End Now
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) — the largest federal workers’ union, representing over 800,000 employees — called Monday for an immediate end to the shutdown, blasting both parties for gridlock.
“When the folks who serve this country are standing in line for food banks… they’re not looking for partisan spin,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “They’re looking for the wages they earned.”
The union has filed multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration in recent weeks, including over the potential for mass firings and denial of back pay.
“No half measures, and no gamesmanship,” Kelley added. “Pass a clean continuing resolution. End this shutdown today.”
Looming Consequences: Food, Paychecks, and Premiums
As the shutdown grinds on, the impacts are multiplying:
- SNAP benefits will lapse on Nov. 1, affecting 42 million
- Active-duty troops could miss paychecks
- Air travel delays worsened over the weekend due to staffing shortages
- ACA enrollees will face sharp premium hikes with open enrollment approaching
- Federal workers are missing pay and facing layoffs
A bipartisan Senate effort to pay military and essential workers is gaining traction, but no agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, President Trump remains overseas on a diplomatic tour, with little domestic engagement expected until his return.
“Something is going to have to come from the rank and file,” said Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), as bipartisan discussions continue behind closed doors.
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