Senate Democrats are holding a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to urge President Donald Trump to use the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency fund to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as food benefits are set to run out for more than 42 million Americans by Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown.
The effort to address the SNAP funding lapse follows a multistate lawsuit led by Democratic attorneys general and governors, who allege the Trump administration illegally suspended SNAP benefits.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN FALLOUT SHIFTS FROM FEDERAL WORKERS TO WELFARE RECIPIENTS
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will lead the press conference alongside Sens. Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The press conference is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m.