New House Bill Seeks to Secure SNAP Funding Amid Potential Government Shutdown

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On Friday, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Iowa, introduced a legislative proposal aimed at securing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amidst concerns that a potential government shutdown could disrupt food aid payments in certain states.

The proposed legislation, known as the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025, seeks to maintain the flow of SNAP funds during any government funding hiatus until the Department of Agriculture receives financing through either regular budgetary allocations or temporary funding measures.

This House bill is a counterpart to a similar measure in the Senate, spearheaded by Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri. Senate Republicans are reportedly considering bringing this SNAP funding bill to a vote. In the House, Representative Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, has joined as a co-sponsor of the legislation.

SNAP, a critical component of the ongoing government funding discussions, relies on federal backing for its benefits, while states manage and help cover the costs of administrating and distributing these benefits. The monthly distribution cycle ensured that October payments proceeded without interruption, but there is concern that November payouts could be jeopardized. The Department of Agriculture has cautioned that if the shutdown persists, there may not be enough resources to fully fund SNAP benefits in November.

“Over 262,000 Iowans, including more than 100,000 children, depend on SNAP for their daily meals. We cannot allow these individuals to become pawns in political disputes,” Miller-Meeks emphasized in her statement. “That’s why I’m advancing this legislation to guarantee that SNAP remains funded during the shutdown. Access to food is a non-negotiable necessity.”

Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked a House-passed, GOP-crafted “clean” stopgap to fund the government through Nov. 21 as they demand that Republicans negotiate on health care issues like enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that are expiring at the end of the year.

“In a state like Iowa, where many communities don’t have large food banks or pantries to fill the gap, any lapse in benefits would be catastrophic for families. My bill protects them from uncertainty and ensures that no child goes hungry because of the Schumer Shutdown,” Miller-Meeks said, in reference to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Democrats have responded to GOP concern about SNAP by pointing out that Republicans have sought in the past to slash funding to the food-aid program.

“They are now trying to reimagine themselves as the champions of federal workers as the champions of food programs and health care when all they have done is take an axe to all of that since they came into office?” said Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass.), the Democratic whip, on Wednesday.

It is unlikely the Miller-Meeks bill gets a stand-alone vote before any Senate action because Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has kept the House out of session as Republicans aim to pressure Senate Democrats into accepting a “clean” funding stopgap before negotiating on health care issues.

Johnson did, however, leave the door open to bringing the House back to vote on a bill to fund SNAP if the Senate passes such a bill.

“If the Senate passes the bill, then the House will address that,” Johnson said in a press conference on Thursday.

“You’re talking about, I think it’s 42 [million] or 43 million Americans rely upon that vital service, and it’s unconscionable that they would be held at bay and held as leverage on this,” Johnson added.