The New Mexico Legislature is gathering Monday for a special session designed to funnel state funds to food aid for low-income families — in case the federal shutdown persists, which has thrown food benefits into chaos.

State House Speaker Javier Martínez said Democrats are hopeful a federal deal will be reached soon but called the proposed $192 million state bill a “backup” should the federal government shutdown continue.

“It’s a backstop,” he said. “If for whatever reason the chaos of D.C. doesn’t get less chaotic, which I don’t have any reason to believe that it won’t, this is a backstop to make sure no New Mexican goes hungry over the next couple of months.”

A deal to end the shutdown appeared to be on the horizon Monday, after several U.S. Senate Democrats broke rank to advance

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