WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today cosponsored new legislation that would prevent the Trump administration from illegally withholding available funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the government shutdown. The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act directs the USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted, as the nation faces “uncharted territory” that could put America’s most vulnerable at risk. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown.

“Maine families, children, veterans and seniors shouldn’t have to worry about losing access to food assistance because of political tactics,” said Senator King. “No one in this country should ever have to choose between paying the electric bill and putting dinner on the table. The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act is about decency and plain common sense, and it keeps faith with the Maine people who count on us most. In all our history, a shutdown has never meant Americans go hungry — and it shouldn’t start now.”

By law, the administration is required to use billions in available funding to keep SNAP benefits flowing in November; guidance from the USDA confirms the authority to use available funding during a shutdown. Nearly 170,000 Maine people — more than 12 percent of the state’s population — receive SNAP benefits. Several counties across the state are approaching or surpassing 20 percent of their population relying on these critical benefits. Nationwide, approximately 42 million Americans rely on this critical program. In 2024, over 18,000 Maine people received WIC benefits. As it stands, if the current government shutdown extends into November, nutrition assistance would not be issued.

Senator King has also cosponsored legislation from Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) that would disburse SNAP benefits after Friday’s deadline, but not WIC resources. Last week, Senator King joined 45 of his colleagues in writing a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins calling on the USDA to release billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue in November.

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