A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States Department of Agriculture should use its contingency funds and interchange authority to finance the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
This Senate resolution declares that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should utilize its available contingency funds and interchange authority to finance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It emphasizes that the current administration is both legally obligated and possesses the necessary funds and authority to ensure the continuation of SNAP benefits, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, and veterans. The resolution highlights that Congress has appropriated over $4.5 billion into a SNAP contingency fund, specifically designed to maintain program operations during emergencies like government shutdowns. It points out that the USDA has previously issued guidance confirming the availability of these funds for such purposes. Furthermore, the resolution notes the Secretary of Agriculture's discretion to transfer funds via interchange authority, which was recently exercised for the WIC program, underscoring the administration's capacity to act immediately and fund SNAP in November 2025.
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States Department of Agriculture should use its contingency funds and interchange authority to finance the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
USA119th CongressSRES-481| Senate
| Updated: 11/3/2025
This Senate resolution declares that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should utilize its available contingency funds and interchange authority to finance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It emphasizes that the current administration is both legally obligated and possesses the necessary funds and authority to ensure the continuation of SNAP benefits, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, and veterans. The resolution highlights that Congress has appropriated over $4.5 billion into a SNAP contingency fund, specifically designed to maintain program operations during emergencies like government shutdowns. It points out that the USDA has previously issued guidance confirming the availability of these funds for such purposes. Furthermore, the resolution notes the Secretary of Agriculture's discretion to transfer funds via interchange authority, which was recently exercised for the WIC program, underscoring the administration's capacity to act immediately and fund SNAP in November 2025.