Florida Democrats Urge State Emergency as 3 Million Face SNAP Cut Amid Shutdown

Nearly 3 million Floridians face losing their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, prompting all Florida Democrats in the state legislature to urge Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency on food insecurity. The lawmakers' letter requests DeSantis to unlock state emergency resources, authorize funding for food acquisitions, coordinate with local food banks, and implement universal school meals during the emergency. SNAP benefits, critical for low-income individuals including children, seniors, and people with disabilities, are at risk of suspension without federal funding restoration, which could lead to a hunger crisis, especially amid rising food and housing costs. Similar concerns affect nearly 1.4 million Georgians reliant on SNAP, with calls for state-level emergency funding as the federal government has refused to extend or reimburse SNAP costs during the shutdown. Several other states have already declared emergencies and are using their own funds to continue benefits, while Florida's Republican leadership has yet to respond. The situation has also led to legal action from Democratic states against the federal administration regarding SNAP suspension and funding authority.