TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Millions of Floridians who rely on federal food assistance could be left hanging as early as this weekend as the government shutdown continues into its 30th day.
Americans may have been saved in October, but next month’s supplemental nutrition assistance funding may be at risk.
With the deadline looming, Democrats in Florida’s House and Senate met this week to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis requesting that he declare a state of emergency to tap into the state’s rainy day fund and provide food assistance to Floridians.
“A child can’t put aside that responsibility and eat a nutritious meal. I don’t want to hear the governor say it’s Washington, D.C.’s fault. We’re talking about Floridians, and that’s his job,” said House Minority Leader Fentris Driskell (D-Tampa).
When asked about the letter by reporters in Tampa this week, DeSantis said, “Did those Democrats write a letter asking Chuck Schumer to end the spending filibuster? Come on.”
Echoing these remarks, Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power criticized D.C. Democrats in Tallahassee this week.
“And when you ask them about it, it’s because there’s no concrete reason why they voted for 13 clean CRs but can’t vote for this. That’s the only influence we have. The American people have no influence,” Power said.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried says it’s the Republicans who are failing.
“The governor can easily say that everything that happens in Washington, D.C., is happening in Washington, D.C., but I have a personal responsibility to the 23 million Floridians who call Florida home, and over 3 million of them will go hungry next week, 1.5 of whom are our children. DeSantis must stop the politics of feeding families,” Fried said.
SNAP benefits will no longer be paid starting Nov. 1, leaving millions of Floridians scrambling to find safety, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
