Congress Confirms $5 Billion+ Already Exists to Fund SNAP During Government Shutdowns

When the government funding deadlines approach, the same anxiety hits millions of families: Will I still get my SNAP benefits if Congress can’t get it together? This resolution from the House aims to cut through that worry and confirm that, yes, the money is already there, and the Administration needs to use it.

This isn't a new law; it’s the House expressing its official opinion (a “sense of the House” resolution) that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) already has the legal authority and the necessary cash to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) running through at least November 2025, even if there’s a government shutdown. Essentially, it’s Congress telling the executive branch, “We gave you the budget, now use the emergency fund we set up for this exact situation.”

The Emergency Food Bank

Here’s the straight talk: Congress has already appropriated over $5 billion into the SNAP contingency fund, designed specifically to cover benefits during a lapse in government funding. This includes $3 billion set aside in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (available through 2026), and another $3 billion in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (available through 2027). The resolution points out that even after recent allocations, there’s still more than enough buffer cash sitting there, ready to go.

Why does this matter to you? If you’re one of the nearly 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP—including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, and over a million veterans—this funding is your grocery budget. For a single parent working two jobs to make ends meet, the thought of their EBT card suddenly not working because of D.C. politics is terrifying. This resolution confirms that the USDA’s own guidance states this multi-year contingency fund can and should be used to ensure benefits keep flowing during a shutdown.

Keeping the Lights On at the State Level

It’s not just the food benefits that need funding; the administration of the program does, too. SNAP is run by state and local agencies, and they need staff, computers, and rent money to process applications and distribute benefits. The resolution confirms that the USDA guidance also allows these contingency funds to cover State Administrative Expenses.

Think about the local social services office in your county. If the federal government shuts down, those state workers still need to come to work to process applications and manage the system. If they don’t get paid, the whole system grinds to a halt, and benefits stop reaching people. By confirming that the emergency fund covers these administrative costs, the resolution aims to prevent a complete operational meltdown at the local level during a federal crisis.

The Direct Call to Action

While the resolution mentions the Secretary of Agriculture’s existing authority to transfer funds between programs (called “interchange authority”) as an option, its main focus is demanding the immediate use of the dedicated contingency fund. The House specifically urges the Administration to use its legal duty and authority to fund SNAP through November 2025. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a direct declaration that the resources are available, the need is critical, and the Administration has a “legal duty” to act to protect the health and wellness of families facing hunger.