Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) railed against the Trump administration in a press briefing on Tuesday for not allowing emergency funds to be used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the government shutdown.
SNAP funding is expected to lapse on Nov. 1, and the Department of Agriculture has announced that contingency funds will not be used to subsidize SNAP benefits during the remainder of the government shutdown. The benefits were already sent out through October but will not be distributed in November because of the shutdown.
Beshear said in a press briefing on Tuesday that Kentucky would lose about $100 million in SNAP funding if the benefits lapse on Nov. 1. He echoed a recent Democratic talking point on the topic, pointing to the $20 billion currency swap the Trump administration offered Argentine President Javier Milei.
“The Trump administration is talking about providing Argentina a $20 billion bailout during a government shutdown but won’t provide SNAP benefits, food assistance, for our own people. That’s not very America First,” Beshear said.
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Beshear joined a group of state officials from 26 states who filed a lawsuit against the USDA to ensure SNAP benefits beyond the Nov. 1 cliff. Beshear, a possible 2028 presidential candidate for the Democratic ticket, is one of three governors named in the lawsuit, filing alongside another 2028 hopeful, Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA).
With about 13% of its population reliant on SNAP benefits, Kentucky is among the top 20 states with the highest SNAP participation rate.
“My faith teaches me that food is life-giving and meant to be shared. From the miracle of fishes and loaves to the Last Supper, we are called to feed and care for each other. The Trump administration prohibiting SNAP benefits is wrong. We should be fighting hunger, not causing it,” Beshear posted on X Sunday.
The USDA’s contingency funds are typically reserved for emergencies, including natural disasters, such as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean.
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The agency has blamed the lapse in SNAP funding on congressional Democrats’ refusal to pass the continuing resolution put forth by congressional GOP leaders.
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program. Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01,” the USDA website reads. “They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
