(The Center Square) – Michigan lawmakers proposed a bill package totaling nearly $1 billion to keep food benefits funded in the state.
This comes as the federal government shutdown continues into its fourth week.
The initiative, which is led by five House Democrats, would keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program operational past Nov. 1, which is when those federal taxpayer-funded benefits are set to be paused.
“The SNAP program is a critical lifeline for the most vulnerable in our state, bridging the gap between what those who are struggling can afford, and what they need to live,” said state Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, one of the bill sponsors.
Currently, nearly 13% of Michigan households, or about 1.4 million people, receive SNAP benefits. Of those, 43% are families with children and 36% are families with older or disabled adults.
The lawmakers who proposed this program said they have a responsibility to keep the program funded.
“For millions of Michiganders, the SNAP program provides the small amount of relief needed to take one financial worry off their plate, and put food on it instead,” said state Rep. Kimberly Edwards, D-Eastpointe, another one of the bill sponsors. “Food is one of our most basic human needs, and taking access to it away from 1.4 million Michiganders is unconscionable. We have an obligation to try every option available to stop this from happening.”
The bill package of five bills would:
• Create a $900 million “SNAP Fund” to keep the program temporarily operational
• $12.5 million for the Food Bank Council of America
• $12.5 million for food pantry programs
• A resolution urging the reopening of the federal government
• A resolution urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funds SNAP, to use an estimated $6 billion in “contingency reserve funds” to fund SNAP into November.
On Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also joined 22 other attorneys general suing the USDA and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for not using those reserves to continue funding SNAP.
“Emergency funding exists for exactly this kind of crisis,” Nessel said. “If the reality of 42 million Americans going hungry, including 1.4 million Michiganders, isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is.”
Yet, according to a statement on the USDA’s website, “the well has run dry.”
This is the first time the U.S. government has shut down since 2018, and both Republicans and Democrats are passing blame. The Democrats proposing the bill called it “cruelty” from Republicans and President Donald Trump.
“The Trump Administration and Washington Republicans are jeopardizing the food security and well-being of people — families, seniors and those with disabilities — who rely on SNAP benefits,” said state Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips, D-Detroit, one of the bill sponsors. “This is not just unacceptable, it’s inhumane. The provision of food should not be a political issue.”
Republicans point out that, though they control both the U.S. House and Senate, they need seven Democrats in the Senate to meet the 60-vote requirement to pass a budget and end the government shutdown.
“Democrats are holding up pay for our troops and blocking resources for Michigan families,” said U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Michigan. “All to push FREE health care for sexual predators who are here ILLEGALLY!”
So far, only three Democrats have crossed the aisle, while others vote no to passing a continuing funding resolution. Both Michigan U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin continue to vote against continuing resolutions.
It is unclear if Michigan Republicans will support the food benefit bill package. Last week, state Rep. Ron Robinson, R-Utica, said these “vital programs” will continue to be a priority.
“While the federal shutdown is causing disruptions beyond our control, I want to assure the people of our district that here in Michigan, we are not in a shutdown and have taken strong, bipartisan steps to protect critical services,” Robinson said.
Without action soon, this shutdown could become the longest government shutdown in American history.
