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A new bill would see Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits paid retroactively as payments remain in jeopardy due to the ongoing government shutdown. Why It Matters About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to help pay for food every month. The payments help low-income individuals and families buy food at their local grocery stores with an EBT card that can be used on qualifying items. What To Know The Keep SNAP Funded 5 Act of 2025 was introduced by Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican. It has already gained support from Republican Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. “Needy families in Missouri should not be going hungry because a bunch of politicians in DC can’t figure out how to open the government,” Hawley said in a statement. “650,000 people in Missouri depend on help when it comes to the price of food and groceries. I don’t want to see these folks go without food. I hope everybody will support this legislation.” If passed, Congress would secure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown and enable uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown. The food benefits have been in peril since the government shutdown began, as Republicans and Democrats remain at an impasse over the funding bill and its lack of an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies. “The bill is being introduced to secure funding for SNAP and to provide retroactive payments to beneficiaries dating back to September 30. However, it still needs enough votes to pass. At this point, it appears unlikely to move forward, as Republicans have stated they will not fund any Democrat-leaning programs until a clean Continuing Resolution is signed,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. “Until that CR is passed, I don’t believe this measure will come to the table. This will need to go to a vote, but it will likely pass once they get through this shutdown.” What People Are Saying Senator Josh Hawley said in a statement: “Needy families in Missouri should not be going hungry because a bunch of politicians in DC can’t figure out how to open the government. 650,000 people in Missouri depend on help when it comes to the price of food and groceries. I don’t want to see these folks go without food. I hope everybody will support this legislation.” Senator James Lankford said in a statement: “The Trump Administration has tried to shield the American people from the harmful effects of this Democrat shutdown. But as the shutdown drags on, the reality is the only way to guarantee paychecks for federal employees, keep America’s skies safe for travelers, and ensure critical safety-net programs remain available for Oklahomans in need is to reopen the government. Under President Biden, this same type of clean continuing resolution passed on a bipartisan basis thirteen times. Now, under President Trump, it’s exceptionally disappointing to see Democrats choosing politics over paychecks and the most vulnerable.” Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: “With a reported 14 percent of Americans receiving benefits, it stands to reason that no lawmaker has unaffected constituents. Add to that bipartisan support, and I believe this has a good chance to pass. Congress has the ability to pass this bill amid a shutdown, so it may not be the breaking point in the shutdown some hope for.” What Happens Next Both Republicans and Democrats have reason to support this measure amid the government shutdown, experts say, but it’s unclear if it will gain enough support to pass. “If this passes, Republicans can still blame Democrats for the shutdown, Democrats can still blame Republicans, both sides have constituents receiving their benefits as usual, and both sides can keep the government closed to whatever end it serves each party,” Powers said.
