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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, responded to rulings by federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that require the Trump Administration to use existing contingency funds to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beyond November 1.

“Once again, federal courts have ruled actions by this Administration unlawful. Two federal judges have now ruled that the Administration has a mandate – by law – to use the $5 billion in dedicated SNAP contingency funds, and that it also has the authority to transfer more funds to SNAP to ensure full benefits can be paid in November. The administration must take this action now to help prevent over a million Georgians and millions more people across this country from going hungry,” noted Congressman Bishop.

“Last week, my colleagues and I sent a letter to USDA urging them to use these contingency funds and their full legal authority to provide SNAP benefits. Not only did our request go unanswered, but the Administration has falsely claimed, repeatedly, that it could not do so and passed the buck and blame,” added Congressman Bishop. “Today’s rulings show once again that the Administration is not being honest with the American people, and now Americans risk going hungry because of it.”

You can read the October 24 letter from Congressman Bishop and House Democrats sent to the USDA, on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee Democrats’ website.

Earlier today, Congressman Bishop was in Midland, Georgia, visiting Feeding the Valley and meeting with community organizations to talk about the importance of SNAP to Georgia’s families and farmers.

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PHOTO: Congressman Bishop with community leaders and nutrition program advocates in Midland, GA

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), a senior member of the United States House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the ongoing effort to fund the federal government:

“I remain committed to working with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to get the government open and working for the people. Unfortunately, since January 20, we have witnessed a relentless effort to dismantle the federal government and eliminate its ability to serve the American people.

“This past March, Congress passed – and the President signed – an inadequate, interim federal spending bill. Despite that, the Administration continued to illegally withhold funds and services dictated by that very law. Without Congressional approval and regardless of court rulings against them, they have used DOGE and the Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Voght – the architect of Project 2025 – to gut federal departments and agencies, including those responsible for veteran care, air travel safety, food safety, and even nuclear safety.

“As part of the Big Ugly Bill in July, this Administration pushed Congressional Republicans to take healthcare away from tens of millions of Americans by cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and tax credits for Affordable Care Act premiums. In the coming days, Americans will see their healthcare premiums skyrocket. And we are already seeing hospitals, healthcare centers, and nursing homes either cutting back services or closing outright because of this. All of that was to pay for permanent tax breaks for billionaires at the cost of permanently cutting healthcare used by most Americans.

“It is hypocritical for Republican leaders to say that they want the government to be open when they have been systematically dismantling it since January. It is unreasonable for Republican leaders to expect Democrats to agree to any funding bill without guarantees that they will stick to the deal when they have repeatedly caved to the President on illegally withholding funds or granting rescissions to spending he does not like.

“I opposed the current bill because I stand with Georgians against the Republican effort to strip away their lifesaving healthcare. With the imminent increase in healthcare premiums days away, millions of Americans cannot wait for Congress to deal with this later. Congressional Republican leaders need to come to the negotiating table, right now, with Democrats and pass a funding bill that truly reopens the government, protects their healthcare, and provides the resources to meet the immediate, ongoing needs of all Americans.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement after voting no on the Republican partisan funding bill that does not extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits:

“Republicans gutted our healthcare, handed billionaires a $4.5 trillion tax break, shut down the government, and returned after a 54-day paid vacation to do nothing to lower healthcare costs. I absolutely voted no on their partisan funding bill,” said Rep. Kelly. “The American people cannot and should not trust President Trump with their healthcare. For years, Republicans have tried to dismantle the ACA, which has allowed millions of Americans to receive affordable health insurance. Without the ACA tax credits, 15,000 of my constituents will see their premiums skyrocket, and Illinoisans will experience a 78% increase next year. That’s unacceptable. With my strong no vote, I will continue to fight for people’s healthcare today and every day.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) thanked Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) for her historic career in Congress following her announcement that she will not seek reelection.

“For nearly 40 years, Speaker Emerita Pelosi has remained committed to fighting for her constituents and hardworking Americans across the country. She made history as the first woman to be House Speaker, then wielded her immense power to pass the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. She’s shown generations of women what it means to know and use their power to build a better America. Even beyond her service in Congress, I know she’ll continue to protect our democracy.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned the Trump administration’s decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, despite being legally required to fund SNAP benefits through November.

“While President Trump is building a $300 million ballroom to host luxurious dinners with his billionaire buddies and bailing out Argentina to a tune of $40 billion, he’s letting Americans starve. Seniors, children, and veterans all rely on SNAP to put food on the table. In Illinois alone, nearly 2 million people won’t know where to get groceries this weekend due to President Trump’s cruel decision. Senate Republicans bowed to his decision by blocking a bill that would have funded SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans. President Trump and his Congressional Republicans are making this government shutdown hurt as much as possible for hardworking Americans, proving they cannot negotiate in good faith to put people over politics.”

Nearly 2 million people in Illinois rely on SNAP, including 187,000 people in the Second District.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, introduced a resolution honoring the life, leadership, and legacy of beloved conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall. The resolution recognizes the importance of Dr. Goodall’s lifelong efforts to understand and protect chimpanzees, including her support of the Captive Primate Safety Act, which Quigley introduced earlier this Congress. 

“We lost a tireless environmental advocate with the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. From establishing the modern understanding of chimpanzees to empowering people worldwide to protect our planet, she devoted her entire life to nature. My time working to end the pet primate trade has given me a deep appreciation for the significance of Dr. Goodall’s chimpanzee research. Reflecting on her legacy has reinvigorated my work,” said Quigley. “Dr. Goodall once said that the greatest danger to our future is apathy, a sentiment I fully agree with. We should all strive to emulate her passion, leadership, and dedication. I am honored to introduce this resolution in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to commend Dr. Goodall for all she has done, and all that we must continue to do.”

To read the full text of the Dr. Jane Goodall Resolution, click HERE. 

To learn more about the life and work of Dr. Jane Goodall, click HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after voting no on the Republican Spending Bill, which leaves millions of Americans to fend for themselves as their health insurance premiums skyrocket:

“I am a proud no vote on any legislation that abandons Americans, forcing them to choose between health care and putting food on their tables. I’ve been clear about my demands to support a Republican government funding bill: Republicans must extend tax credits that make health care more affordable, restore Medicaid funding, and prevent Trump from making illegal funding cuts in the future. This bill fails on every one of those fronts.

“Republicans have proven time and again that they don’t care about Americans’ healthcare prices, and they can’t be trusted to keep their promises. I cannot support legislation that makes no progress on our goals and instead depends on the hope that Senate Republicans and Speaker Johnson will do the right thing.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Washington, D.C.—As Americans struggle with an unstable economy due to President Trump’s chaotic policies and large corporations exploit lax rules in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to outsource good-paying jobs abroad, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) led more than 100 of his Democratic House colleagues in urging U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to strengthen the agreement to support job creation and economic growth, clean manufacturing, and a livable climate. Specifically, the members call for the original USMCA to be renegotiated to achieve strengthened environmental enforcement standards to ensure clean air and water while creating a level playing field.

The members write, “As the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments undertake the mandatory six-year review of the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we urge you to significantly strengthen Chapter 24, Environment. Without an enforceable, meaningful environmental chapter, clean air, water, and land and safe, good-paying jobs are all at risk in a race to the bottom. No Party should gain a comparative advantage over others by undermining, repealing, and sabotaging their environmental protections. Strong and enforceable environmental protections ensure that American workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field and are not unfairly penalized for following U.S. laws that guarantee safe workplaces free from environmental hazards and that support healthy, sustainable communities.”

“Trump has said he supported ‘full enforceable’ environmental provisions. To achieve that objective, reforms must be adopted. The USMCA made modest progress, but the lack of meaningful enforcement undermines existing protections,” the members continued.

Endorsing organizations are the Center for Biological Diversity, Endangered Species Coalition, League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen, and Sierra Club.

The full letter can be read here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration choosing not to fully fund SNAP benefits:

“Following public outcry and intervention from the courts, Trump is being forced to do a little to stop the hunger crisis he tried to create. He used his full authority to help farmers, but refuses to do the same for families. They only receive half a loaf of help. Meanwhile, Congressional GOP leaders refuse to permit a vote on a bill to fully fund SNAP through this Trump shutdown. Half-empty tables for working Americans while Trump & co. sip champagne at a Gatsby gala.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration falsely asserting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not have legal authority to utilize contingency funds for November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits:

“After cutting SNAP by $186 billion earlier this year in the Big Ugly Bill, Donald Trump and his accomplices are now refusing to extend SNAP food assistance that millions of families rely upon to put food on the table. Adding a hunger crisis to their self-made health care crisis, Republicans’ government shutdown is placing an enormous strain on the Central Texas Food Bank and other community service groups as families turn to them for help. For every meal a food bank provides, SNAP can provide nine—leaving many still struggling to keep their children fed. This Administration can, and must, immediately use the billions in reserve funding available for SNAP. As in September, USDA asserted it would on page 15 of its shutdown plan, which stated that such funds could be used during a shutdown. 

“The President, who found $40 billion for Argentina, who is reopening USDA offices to get billions to farmers suffering from his tariff taxes, and who boasts that he can do almost anything, is refusing to tap a rainy-day fund to help seniors, veterans, and families with children. It’s not the well that’s run out, as Republicans claim; it’s their empathy for others that has run dry.

“While I strongly support the legal action taken by 25 states to pressure the Administration to uphold their responsibility to Americans, we cannot ignore that Congressional Republicans have wasted weeks doing nothing to resolve this shutdown. It’s time they join Democrats in an honest negotiation to reach a reasonable solution that keeps health care costs low and families fed.”

Relevant excerpt from USDA’s Lapse of Funding Plan (September 30, 2025):

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): OMB’s General Counsel provided a letter to USDA on May 23, 2025 stating that there is a bona fide need to obligate benefits for October – the first month of the fiscal year – during or prior to the month of September, thereby guaranteeing that benefit funds are available for program operations even in the event of a government shutdown at the beginning of a fiscal year. In addition, Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown. These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year. To fulfill this Congressional intent, it is necessary that a limited number of FNS employees be excepted from furlough to support program operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, program policy and operations, financial management, and stakeholder communications.