New Bill Introduced In House To Keep SNAP Benefits Flowing During Government Shutdown

In a move aimed at protecting millions of Americans from losing vital food assistance during budget stalemates, a new piece of legislation titled the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

Spearheaded by Rep. Mariannette Miller‑Meeks (R-Iowa) and co-sponsored by Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), the bill aims to ensure that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains funded even if the federal government shuts down.

The goal: safeguard food support for families, children and individuals who rely on this critical benefit.

What the Bill Proposes

The new legislation proposes to automatically allocate funds to SNAP in any period when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not yet fully funded via regular appropriations or temporary measures. Below is a summary table of key information:

Feature	Details
Bill Name	Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025
Introduced By	Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) & Co-sponsor Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio)
Purpose	Ensure uninterrupted SNAP benefits during a government shutdown
Scope	Applies when USDA lacks full-year funding or continuing resolution
Benefit Affected	Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Why It Matters	SNAP payments typically arrive monthly; if funding lapses, payments may be delayed or reduced
Current Problem	November SNAP 2025 payments risk being disrupted if problems persist

Why This Change Is Needed

Here’s why legislators say the bill is urgent:

• Over 262,000 Iowans, including more than 100,000 children, rely on SNAP in one state alone.
• SNAP benefits are funded federally but administered by states, with monthly allocations. A funding glitch can mean delayed payments for November.
• The USDA has warned that if a shutdown persists, full SNAP benefit payments in November could be at risk.
• The legislation emphasises that access to food is not negotiable, according to its sponsors, and aims to prevent families from being used as political ‘leverage’.

Political Dynamics & Opposition

The bill aligns with a similar companion measure in the Senate introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Meanwhile:

• Senate Democrats have blocked a “clean” funding stopgap in the House, demanding broader healthcare and tax-credit discussions before passing government-funding measures.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated the House will act on the SNAP funding bill if the Senate passes one first.
• Critics from the Democratic side point out that Republicans previously sought to reduce SNAP funding and now are positioning themselves as protectors of food aid.

Impact on States & Families

If enacted, the bill would:

• Give states confidence that SNAP payments will arrive even amid federal budget delays.
• Prevent disruptions to benefits that could impact millions of households and children reliant on nutrition support.
• Reduce stress on food banks, pantries and community social-service networks that may struggle to fill a gap in monthly SNAP benefits.

What Happens Next

The legislative path includes:

• House and Senate must each pass their versions of the bill.
• The Senate version was introduced on Oct. 21, 2025, as S. 3024 and referred to committee.
• If passed, the bill would become law and be triggered whenever USDA funding lapses.
• If the bill fails, states and beneficiaries may face delays or reductions in SNAP payments in any future shutdown scenario.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 represents a significant legislative effort to protect one of the nation’s critical food-assistance programmes from becoming collateral damage in federal budget standoffs.

By ensuring that SNAP benefits remain unaffected during a government shutdown, the bill seeks to uphold the twin goals of safety and stability for millions of Americans.

While the proposal still faces political challenges, its passage would offer peace of mind to families, states and service organisations reliant on timely nutrition support.

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