Valley leaders unite to restore November SNAP funding
Representative Jim Costa of California’s 21st District, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, joined Central California Food Bank and local leaders to highlight the urgent need to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the administration had withheld November SNAP funds, despite having $5 billion in contingency reserves available. This decision threatened to disrupt benefits for 42 million Americans, including thousands of families in the San Joaquin Valley.
Nearly 30 percent of households in Costa’s district rely on SNAP benefits. The potential loss of support would have left veterans, seniors, children, and people with disabilities without essential food assistance. Data shows that 60 percent of local households receiving SNAP include a child, 34 percent include an elderly person, and 46 percent include a person with a disability.
Recent federal court rulings have intervened. Judge John J. McConnell ordered the administration to distribute contingency funds immediately for November payments. Similarly, Judge Indira Talwani mandated the use of emergency funds to partially fund SNAP benefits and required a report on progress by November 3, 2025.
Congressman Costa continues to push for long-term solutions. He co-sponsored the Feed Our Families Act, which would allocate three months of SNAP funding reserves to protect families during federal shutdowns. He also joined 214 House Democrats in urging Secretary Brooke Rollins to release the necessary funds without delay.
Food is not a partisan issue—it’s a human issue, stated Costa, emphasizing his commitment to protecting families from food insecurity.
Read the related article: USDA To Keep SNAP Payments Flowing
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo