HOUSTON – Congressman Al Green hosted a press conference Thursday afternoon to address the government shutdown impacting SNAP benefits and healthcare.
The State of Texas Health and Human Services is warning that SNAP benefits may not come in November if the government shutdown doesn’t end by Monday.
This means 877,684 people won’t be able to get food and more than half of those are families in the 10 counties surrounding Houston. The average payment is $389 for food.
Green said during the news conference that he received an email confirming there will be no official votes in the U.S. House next week, signaling that a deal to reopen the government is not imminent.
“The Republicans can end the shutdown crisis they have created whatever they choose, because they have control of the House, Senate, and the presidency,” Green said.
He added that the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a memo to states on Oct. 10, warning of insufficient funds for November SNAP benefits. The agency instructed states to hold payments until further notice.
Green noted that while the program has a $5 billion contingency fund, it would cover only a fraction of the roughly $8 billion needed each month to fund benefits in full — meaning millions could face cuts or delays.
Food pantries across the region are bracing for an influx of families seeking help, but Green said many are already running low on supplies and won’t be able to meet the demand.
“This crisis is hurting families who depend on food assistance, and it could be prevented,” Green said.