King-Backed Legislation Would Keep Maine Families Fed During Government Shutdown

October 30, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today cosponsored new legislation that would prevent the Trump administration from illegally withholding available funds for theSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)and theSpecial Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)during the government shutdown. TheKeep SNAP and WIC Funded Actdirects the USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted, as the nation faces “uncharted territory” that could put America’s most vulnerable at risk. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown.
“Maine families, children, veterans and seniors shouldn’t have to worry about losing access to food assistance because of political tactics,”said Senator King. “No one in this country should ever have to choose between paying the electric bill and putting dinner on the table. TheKeep SNAP and WIC Funded Actis about decency and plain common sense, and it keeps faith with the Maine people who count on us most. In all our history, a shutdown has never meant Americans go hungry — and it shouldn’t start now.”
By law, the administration is required to use billions in available funding to keep SNAP benefits flowing in November;guidance from the USDAconfirms the authority to use available funding during a shutdown.Nearly 170,000 Maine people— more than 12 percent of the state’s population — receive SNAP benefits. Several counties across the state are approaching or surpassing 20 percent of their population relying on these critical benefits. Nationwide,approximately 42 million Americansrely on this critical program. In 2024, over18,000 Maine peoplereceived WIC benefits. As it stands, if the current government shutdown extends into November, nutrition assistance would not be issued.
Senator King has also cosponsored legislation from Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO)that would disburse SNAP benefitsafter Friday’s deadline, but not WIC resources. Last week, Senator King joined 45 of his colleagues inwriting a letterto Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins calling on the USDA to release billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue in November.
###