SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico enacted legislation Monday to provide state funding for food assistance each week past the end of the year if federal SNAP food aid falters.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales signed the bill as acting governor to ensure delivery of food assistance to EBT cards amid a flurry of legal activity on SNAP distributions to states, and efforts in Washington to bring the longest shutdown in history closer to an end.

The initiative makes up $20 million available each week if necessary to backfill typical SNAP benefits through mid-January when the Legislature meets again.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was on travel to a climate conference in Brazil, previously used emergency orders to funnel $30 million in state funds onto EBT cards for food aid at the start of

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