By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -More than 200 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives told the Agriculture Department on Friday it should draw on its emergency reserves to fund November food benefits, which are compromised by the ongoing federal shutdown.

States warned this week that tens of millions of Americans could see a gap in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps, if the shutdown continues through the end of the month.

In the letter, first reported by Reuters, 211 Representatives said the USDA should fund November benefits using its $5 billion contingency reserve, which would pay for a portion of SNAP’s monthly cost, and use other authorities at its disposal to supplement those funds.

“There are clear steps the administration c

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