WHEREAS, ON OCTOBER 26, 2025, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INFORMED STATES THROUGHOUT THE NATION THAT STARTING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2025, THE FEDERALLY-FUNDED SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE DUE TO THE ONGOING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN; AND

WHEREAS, REPORTS FROM THE CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES AND OTHERS INDICATE THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FROM A FEDERALLY-ESTABLISHED CONTINGENCY FUND TO COVER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS AND THE CONTINGENCY FUND CURRENTLY TOTALS OVER $5,000,000,000; AND

WHEREAS, DURING THE 2018 SHUTDOWN, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDS TO STATES AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AT THE TIME OPINED THAT CONTINGENCY FUNDS COULD BE USED TO FUND THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; AND

WHEREAS, THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECIDING NOT TO FUND THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WOULD EXTEND BEYOND INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS AND CAUSE A DISRUPTION IN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS THAT WOULD DESTABILIZE THE COMMONWEALTH’S FOOD ECONOMY; AND

WHEREAS, HUNGER AND HARDSHIP WILL RISE IMMEDIATELY AND MEASURABLY, DISPROPORTIONATELY BURDENING SENIORS, CHILDREN AND INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO RELEASE CONTIGENCY FUNDS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THROUGH THE DURATION OF THE ONGOING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

SUBMITTED BY:
SENATOR RODRIGUES
COSPONSORS: