Voto Latino, UnidosUS, and Latino Victory Project Demand Immediate Action as SNAP Funding Lapse Threatens Food Assistance for 10 Million Latino Families
Washington, D.C. — The current government shutdown has now surpassed its 28th day. As millions of federal workers remain in the dark about when they will receive their next paycheck, families across the country are bracing for an even deeper crisis: the loss of critical food assistance.
Starting November 1, federal funds allocated to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer reach American families as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown. This lapse will leave millions without the critical resources they rely on to feed their children and make ends meet. Twenty-five states have now joined together to challenge the Trump Administration for its willful decision to withhold essential food assistance from those who need it most. The Administration argues that the contingency reserve, estimated at about $6 billion, cannot be used for government shutdowns.
In response, Voto Latino, UnidosUS, and Latino Victory Project released the following statement:
“No family in America should have to wonder how they’ll put dinner on the table because of political gridlock. SNAP is a lifeline for nearly 10 million Latinos across the country, helping families afford everyday essentials from baby formula, fruit, to dairy products. The impact of this disruption is already having a devastating impact, particularly for low-income households and communities of color already grappling with inflated grocery prices.
In total, almost 42 million people across the United States stand to lose access to the food assistance they depend on. This crisis makes clear that the human toll of this government shutdown extends far beyond federal workers, as it is now reaching kitchen tables across America. If Republicans continue to ignore the needs of the American people, the consequences for families will be dire and immediate.
This shutdown is on track to become one of the longest government shutdowns in American history, and it represents a direct assault on the dignity and well-being of millions of hardworking Americans. Access to food should never be used as a bargaining chip in political negotiations. Republicans lawmakers must do their job and work in bipartisanship to immediately restore SNAP funding that keeps families healthy, stable, and hopeful.”
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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.