Story perspectives

Government Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits for 42 Million

10/17/2025

Center

Rollins Warns SNAP

The ongoing government shutdown threatens funding for SNAP and WIC, potentially affecting millions.
The USDA warns that November SNAP benefits for about 42 million people may not be funded.
States such as North Carolina and Minnesota have issued alerts about potential disruptions.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says SNAP could run out of funds in two weeks.

Right

Trump Redirects Funds

The Trump administration will redirect $8 billion from military funds to pay U.S. troops during the shutdown.
Tariff revenues would temporarily fund Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), serving over 6 million mothers and children.
Democrats criticize the moves as illegal but hesitate to challenge.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Democrats are obstructing troop payments, while a White House official calls WIC funding a 'creative solution'.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. government has faced multiple budget crises, notably in 2013 when a shutdown led to a $5 billion cut in SNAP benefits for 47 million Americans. This ongoing struggle over funding priorities, including military versus social welfare programs, reflects historical tensions in U.S. fiscal policy, echoing past shutdowns that disrupted essential services and impacted vulnerable populations.

1 of 3

Rollins Warns SNAP

The ongoing government shutdown threatens funding for SNAP and WIC, potentially affecting millions.
The USDA warns that November SNAP benefits for about 42 million people may not be funded.
States such as North Carolina and Minnesota have issued alerts about potential disruptions.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says SNAP could run out of funds in two weeks.

1 / 3