Beatty: Head Start and SNAP Are Lifelines, Not Political Hostages

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement regarding the lapse in Head Start and SNAP funding set to begin tomorrow as a result of the ongoing, Republican-driven government shutdown:

“Republicans’ refusal to reopen the government has led to a reckless lapse in funding for critical programs that millions of families rely on every single day. Because of their shutdown, Head Start and SNAP funding will stop tomorrow—leaving working families, children, and seniors as hostages in the crisis they created.”

“In Ohio, more than 31,000 children and their families depend on Head Start for early learning and child care, while over 1.4 million Ohioans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Now, seven Head Start providers across our state will exhaust their funds, forcing 940 staff members off the job and leaving parents without the child care they depend on.”

“This morning, I met with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners to find a path forward for families across the Third Congressional District. Later in the day, I joined my colleagues in signing a letter urging Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to take legal action against the Trump Administration for withholding contingency funds that could have covered November SNAP benefits.”

“Earlier this week, a group of Democratic Attorneys General and governors from 25 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit demanding the release of these funds, followed by another lawsuit filed Thursday by a coalition of cities, non-profits, unions, and small businesses. It is a disgrace that these lawsuits were required to compel the Trump Administration to do the right thing.  Next week, I am also cosponsoring the Resolution to Keep Americans Fed During Government Shutdown, calling on the Administration to release Congressionally directed funds to support ongoing SNAP benefits and prevent 42 million Americans from going hungry.”

“Head Start and SNAP are lifelines that strengthen children, families, and entire communities. You cannot call yourself ‘pro-life’ while attacking the very programs that support life in its earliest, most formative stages. You cannot claim to support families while pulling the rug out from under them.”

“Republicans must return to Washington, work with Democrats to reopen the government, restore this critical funding, and stop using hunger and hardship as weapons against the American people.”