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Food assistance

Senate Democrats Demand Trump Administration Release Funds for SNAP and WIC Programs

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined the Senate Democratic Caucus to urge the Trump Administration to release available funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Without action, SNAP benefits are expected to lapse nationwide on Saturday, November 1, due to the current Republican-led government shutdown.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump Administration has billions of dollars ready and available to pay for SNAP, but continues to withhold it, putting 42 million people at risk of losing their benefits.
  • The USDA has the authority to release SNAP contingency funds, and the statute is clear: the Administration is required by law to release these funds.
  • The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), directs the USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year.
  • The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown.
  • Over 757,000 people in Oregon are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program, including nearly 210,000 children and 130,000 seniors.
  • Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have joined their colleagues to urge the Trump Administration to release the billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure SNAP benefits continue next month in Oregon and nationwide.
  • The Senate Democratic Caucus has introduced the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, led by Senator Lujan and cosponsored by 30 Democratic Senators.

Statistics:

  • 42 million people are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program.
  • Over 757,000 people in Oregon are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits, including nearly 210,000 children and 130,000 seniors.
  • $billions of dollars are available and ready to be released by the USDA to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year.
  • The federal government is required by law to release SNAP contingency funds, which has been withheld by the Trump Administration.

Sources:

  • United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
  • Senate Democratic Caucus
  • Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Trump Administration
  • Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025
  • Press release from Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden on October 31, 2025.

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