**Democrats Say President Trump Can Use $5 Billion Emergency Fund for SNAP Benefits During Shutdown; Republicans Demand Government Reopening First**
As the government shutdown continues, Democrats are urging President Donald Trump to utilize a $5 billion emergency fund to maintain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for those in need. They argue that accessing these funds would help prevent millions of low-income Americans from losing essential food assistance during the funding gap.
However, Republicans counter that the emergency fund should not be tapped until the government officially reopens. They insist that resolving the shutdown through bipartisan negotiations must come first before any additional spending is authorized.
This standoff highlights the ongoing tension between addressing urgent public needs and the broader political debate surrounding government funding and policy priorities amid the shutdown.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/food-stamp-benefits-42-million-americans-runs-out-today-amid-shutdown