Representative Al Green held a press conference Thursday to warn that the federal shutdown may stop Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and disrupt healthcare if the government does not reopen.
The Texas Health and Human Services agency has warned that SNAP benefits will not go out in November if the shutdown continues past Monday.
The halt would affect 877,684 Texans, more than half of whom live in the ten counties surrounding Houston. The average SNAP benefit for those recipients is $389 a month.
Green said he received email confirmation that the U.S. House has no votes scheduled next week, which signals no deal to end the shutdown is near. He said Republicans control the House, Senate, and presidency and can end the shutdown at any time.
Green cited an October 10 memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that alerted states to a possible funding shortfall for November SNAP.
The USDA directed states to hold payments until further notice. USDA has a $5 billion contingency fund, but SNAP needs roughly $8 billion a month to operate, which means millions could see delayed or reduced benefits.
Green said many of those pantries are operating with limited stock and may not be able to meet demand.
SNAP, which supplies food aid to millions of Americans, remains at risk without a funding agreement. State agencies are working under federal guidance to plan for disruptions while advocates press for a resolution to avoid a lapse in food assistance.
