By Faithlyn Graham, WV News
WASHINGTON — As the federal government shutdown entered its 37th day, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., expressed frustration over the ongoing stalemate and the growing impact on West Virginians, particularly those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“Our food banks are extremely busy filling a gap that should never have existed, and that is the lack of SNAP funding for our families,” Capito said during a Thursday press call. “Eighteen percent of West Virginians — about 250,000 people — rely on this.”
Capito said she has voted multiple times to reopen the government and emphasized that she does not support shutdowns under any presidential administration.
“I am not going to vote to ever shut down the government,” she said. “This is very painful.”
Capito addressed President Donald Trump’s recent comment suggesting SNAP benefits be withheld until the shutdown ends, saying Trump has since reversed his stance.
“I think he has reversed himself from that initial statement,” Capito said. “He heard from me and others that ‘we need your help here, Mr. President. The governors are stepping up, but you need to dip into your emergency funding,’ which he’s going to do and has done.”
According to Capito, the administration is preparing to disburse partial SNAP benefits for November in accordance with a federal judge’s recent ruling.
Feature image: Image courtesy of WV News article
