As lawmakers in Washington D.C. worked toward ending a government shutdown, the New Mexico legislature authorized $162 million to extend food benefits in a one-day special session.

On Nov. 10, Lt. Governor Howie Morales signed House Bill 1 that approves weekly appropriations of up to $20 million from the general fund operating reserve to provide state nutrition assistance benefits to the approximately 460,000 New Mexicans who rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The funding provides funding through Jan. 19, 2026, ensuring that SNAP benefits continue if federal funding fails.

The day the special session ended, the U.S. Senate approved a deal in Washington D.C. that would end the government shutdown and reopen the government through Jan. 30, 202

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