PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a food security emergency on Wednesday as the ongoing federal government shutdown is on track to stop Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this weekend.

The 60-day declaration directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to deploy $5 million from the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) carryover funds to the state's food bank network, Gov. Kotek's office said. TANF carryover is unspent federal TANF funding from previous years that remain available until it's used.

Gov. Kotek's declaration also activates state agencies and resources to make sure vulnerable families will have food.

"It’s unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C.," Go

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