Senator Merkley Blocks Barrasso's Bill on SNAP Funding

SNAP Funding Dispute on the Senate Floor

• 📌 Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) presented a bill to ensure full SNAP funding through November, but it was blocked by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).
• 🎯 Merkley criticized the Trump administration's strategy, calling it a "make America hungry agenda" and accusing them of weaponizing food against vulnerable families.
• 💡 The bill aimed to prevent cuts to SNAP benefits, which would impact approximately 757,000 people in Oregon alone, including children and seniors.

Mechanisms for SNAP Funding

• 🛠️ Merkley highlighted two tools created by Congress to ensure SNAP continuity: a SNAP contingency fund and interchange authority allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to use tariff funds.
• ⚠️ Despite the USDA initially indicating plans to use contingency funds for November SNAP benefits, this language was later deleted, and the administration claimed its hands were tied.
• 💰 Merkley asserted that the administration was aware of the contingency fund and its ability to use interchange authority, citing its recent use for the WIC program.

Political Stance and Court Rulings

• ⚖️ Merkley stated that 25 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the USDA to stop funding cuts, with two judges agreeing that the administration must proceed to fund SNAP.
• 🚫 The administration's response was to state they would use contingency funds but not interchange authority, leading to a reduction in daily benefits from $6 to $3 per person.
• 🏢 A court document filed by the USDA indicated that system changes required for reduced benefit amounts could take weeks to months, contradicting the urgency of the situation.

Opposition and Counterarguments

• 🗣️ Senator Barrasso (reserving the right to object) called Merkley's resolution a "political stunt" and an "empty, meaningless" act.
• 🚧 Barrasso accused Democrats of shutting down the government and holding food assistance for 42 million Americans hostage, claiming the shutdown was organized in advance.
• 📢 He argued that Democrats should stop blocking a clean continuing resolution to end the "Schumer shutdown" and prevent suffering for struggling families.

Merkley's Rebuttal and Call to Action

• 🚫 Merkley countered that the government shutdown was irrelevant to the November SNAP payments, as the contingency fund and interchange authority provided the necessary means.
• 💰 He emphasized that the funds and legal authority exist, with over $23 billion in the interchange fund, and urged the administration to follow the court's directive.
• 📢 Merkley directly addressed President Trump, stating he had the authority, funds, and responsibility to ensure full SNAP benefits, calling the "make America hungry agenda" wrong and immoral.
• 🙏 He called for bipartisan agreement to ensure immediate funding for SNAP benefits for all vulnerable families across America.