WASHINGTON, D.C. (Island News) -- House Democrats, including Rep. Jill Tokuda, are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use available funds to protect November SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues.

Rep. Tokuda joined 214 House Democrats in a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to ensure food assistance continues for millions of Americans during the federal government shutdown. Congress established a contingency reserve fund of $5 billion towards SNAP for 42 million Americans who may go without food assistance in November.

The shutdown that began at the beginning of October has left millions uncertain about being able to afford food, stemming from issues such as missed paychecks for federal workers.

“Thousands of Hawaiʻi households will soon face an

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