Eleven Republicans and one Democrat have joined Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley ’s proposal to provide funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the ongoing government shutdown risks interrupting the program next month.

Why It Matters

SNAP is funded by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each year, Congress must pass a budget or a temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution, to give the USDA authority to spend money on the program. Once funding is approved, the USDA distributes money to state agencies, which in turn issue monthly benefits to participants through electronic benefit transfer cards.

If Congress fails to pass a funding bill, the USDA can only rely on money that was previously appro

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