Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives want to use state funding to maintain food assistance benefits slated to come to a halt amid the federal government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service recently directed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to pause Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting in November. Michigan receives on average $260 million a month from the federal government for the nearly 1.4 million people in the state who receive SNAP benefits, according to State Budget Office Director of Communications Lauren Leeds.
President Donald Trump’s administration has argued that the USDA cannot use contingency funds to pay for SNAP during the federal government shutdown, which recently entered its fifth week. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a multi state lawsuit against the administration seeking a court order to direct funding for SNAP benefits.
Under pending legislation from Michigan House Democrats, an emergency supplemental spending measure would appropriate $900 million in state funding for SNAP benefits, according to a news release. The funds would come from previously funded state projects that have lapsed. Also, two separate bills would provide an additional $12.5 million to the Food Bank Council of America and food pantry programs, respectively from the General Fund, the state’s largest pot of discretionary funding. The bills still need to be introduced.
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“As state lawmakers, we must quickly collaborate with our constituents, nonprofit and faith-based food providers, and retailers to ensure Michiganders have access to adequate food, especially as we approach the winter season and the holidays, while food prices continue to rise. This is why I am introducing legislation to provide food to vulnerable people and support food banks and pantries in this time of crisis,” said state Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips, D-Detroit in a statement.
While Democratic state lawmakers have blamed Trump and Republicans for the federal government shutdown, Republican legislators point their fingers at Democrats in Washington, D.C.
“Senate Democrats are refusing to vote for a simple continuation budget that would keep essential programs like SNAP running while Congress works out a longer-term deal. Because of their inaction, families who did nothing wrong are paying the price. It’s shameful, and it needs to end,” said Michigan House Appropriations Chair state Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township, in a recent statement.
Both Democrats and Republicans in Michigan have pointed to the state budget they recently passed to avert a state government shutdown as evidence that lawmakers can still work together across the aisle.
It’s not clear whether the proposed SNAP spending plan will make its way to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. Republicans hold a majority in the Michigan House while Democrats control the Michigan Senate. A spokesperson for Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Majority Leader Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, did not immediately provide a comment.
When asked whether the governor wants to see state lawmakers pass a supplemental spending measure to provide state funding for SNAP before House Democrats unveiled their plan, Whitmer Press Secretary Stacey LaRouche referred the Detroit Free Press to the State Budget Office.
Leeds — the office’s communications director — said in an emailed statement Oct. 28: “While federal action is needed to fully restore these benefits, the State of Michigan is working to support residents through this disruption by staying in close contact with federal partners, keeping residents informed, and helping families find local food and assistance resources through MI Bridges, Michigan 2-1-1, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan.”
LaRouche did not immediately provide comment Oct. 29 to a follow-up request on House Democrats’ spending proposal.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan House Democrats unveil plan to fund SNAP amid federal government shutdown
Reporting by Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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