Gov. Bill Lee refuses to spend state money to help provide food to Tennessee recipients of SNAP funds. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Gov. Bill Lee cautioned SNAP recipients Friday to prepare for a lapse in their benefits starting Nov. 1 and blamed congressional Democrats for failing to end the government shutdown.

“The longer Democrats wait to reopen the government, the more delays customers can expect as the program restarts,” a Friday statement from the Governor’s Office said.

Some 690,000 Tennesseans who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could lose the benefit in November if the U.S. Senate fails to pass a resolution to continue spending federal funds. The federal government spends about $146 million a month putting money onto SNAP cards.

The Governor’s O

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