Let’s shut down hunger, not the government

February 7, 2018 – We’re experiencing a belated and humorless version of Groundhog Day.

Government funding is set to lapse Friday morning at midnight. Without an agreement before then, Congress will bring the federal government to a halt for the second time in a matter of weeks.

We hold the people we serve at the center of all we do, and a lapse in government funding puts them at increased risk of hunger due to a potential interruption of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamp) benefits. More than 650,000 Oregonians—including children, seniors, and people with disabilities—count on SNAP to help have enough to eat. Delays and uncertainty about nutrition benefits throw these households into unnecessary chaos, forcing them to turn to already strained food banks.

Additionally, Congress and the president must address other important unresolved issues that impact the lives of everyday people—including DACA recipients, community health center funding, and disaster relief.

Life is difficult enough for many of our friends and neighbors. Our elected officials in Washington shouldn’t play political games that add volatility to the mix. Congress and the president must uphold our American democratic principles of good governance and bipartisanship to meet people’s needs in our great nation.