Whitmer Leads 21 Governors Urging Trump to Prevent SNAP Benefit Disruption Affecting 42 Million Americans

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is leading a coalition of 21 governors in urging President Trump to release federal funds and prevent disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid a federal government shutdown. The shutdown has led the U.S. Department of Agriculture to instruct states to halt processing SNAP benefits for November, risking the food security of 42 million Americans, including 16 million children. The governors emphasized that SNAP is a critical lifeline that not only helps families afford nutritious food but also supports local farmers, grocers, and the broader economy, sustaining nearly 388,000 jobs and generating over $20 billion in wages nationwide. The letter highlighted the broader social benefits of SNAP, noting that it helps families allocate resources to rent, healthcare, and prescriptions, and reduces poverty-related hardships. Meanwhile, Michigan is expanding state programs like Double Up Food Bucks to help mitigate the impact of potential SNAP interruptions, and is also part of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's suspension of benefits. Governors from other states, including Maine's Janet Mills, echoed these concerns, warning that the SNAP freeze would cause severe harm to vulnerable populations and urging the administration to use existing contingency funds to maintain benefit payments.