Downey Statement on Threat to NJ SNAP Food Assistance Program During Partial Government Shutdown

(TRENTON) – As the partial federal government shutdown enters its third week, Assemblywoman Joann Downey is urging Congress to end the stalemate and reopen the government as to not further interrupt critical services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food stamps to over 700,000 New Jersey residents:

“Far too many New Jerseyans worry about how they’ll put food on the table each week. Hundreds of thousands of these families find relief from SNAP, which helps them buy the groceries they need to stay healthy,” said Downey (D-Monmouth), who chairs the Assembly Human Services Committee. “But if the shutdown continues, this program will run out of funding from the federal Department of Agriculture as soon as March, leaving many without the crucial assistance they need to feed themselves and their children. SNAP is one of the most important anti-hunger programs in the country; without it, millions of American families will likely go hungry. We need to protect this vital resource, beginning with ending the partial government shutdown and ensuring programs like SNAP can continue delivering help to those who need it.”