Senator Cory Booker Urges Trump Administration to Release SNAP Funds Amid Growing Food Insecurity

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Booker Calls for Immediate Action to Address Food Assistance Delays

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Cory Booker is calling on the Trump administration to release federal funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), warning that delays are putting millions of American families at risk of hunger. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the New Jersey Democrat urged the administration to “act swiftly and compassionately” to ensure that working families and children have access to food in the coming month.

Booker noted that billions of dollars are currently available for the program but remain unreleased, describing the situation as “a crisis of priorities, not of resources.” He emphasized that more than 42 million Americans depend on SNAP, including 850,000 residents in New Jersey alone. “No child in this nation should go hungry because of a political dispute,” Booker said. “We have the money. We just need the will to use it.”

The senator’s remarks come as states across the country brace for disruptions in social safety net programs amid ongoing fiscal disputes between federal agencies and congressional leaders. Food banks in multiple states have reported surges in demand, and advocacy groups warn that the timing of this funding delay—just ahead of the holiday season—could deepen already rising food insecurity rates.

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A Critical Lifeline for Working Families

The SNAP program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides assistance to low- and moderate-income families to help purchase groceries. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP benefits lift nearly 3 million people out of poverty each year, making it one of the country’s most effective anti-hunger programs.

In New Jersey, the stakes are particularly high. State data shows that nearly one in ten households depends on SNAP, with usage concentrated among working parents, seniors, and people with disabilities. The average monthly benefit in the state is roughly $180 per person, though many recipients receive less.

Booker underscored the urgency of the issue, pointing to recent census data showing that food insecurity rose in 2024 after several years of decline. “Families who are already struggling with high grocery prices cannot afford delays,” he said. “SNAP isn’t a luxury—it’s the difference between a meal and an empty plate.”

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Economic Context and Historical Precedent

This dispute over SNAP funding is not without precedent. Throughout the past decade, the program has often been caught in political crosscurrents during budget negotiations and administrative transitions. During the 2018 government shutdown, for instance, USDA officials had to use contingency funds to sustain benefits through early February, narrowly avoiding service interruptions.

Economists note that withholding or delaying SNAP funds can have wide-reaching economic consequences. Because recipients spend their benefits quickly—usually within a week of receiving them—SNAP is considered one of the fastest forms of fiscal stimulus. The USDA estimates that every dollar spent through the program generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity, supporting grocery stores, farmers, and food manufacturers alike.

“Any lapse in SNAP payments sends shock waves through local economies,” said Matthew Klein, an agricultural economist at Rutgers University. “When families can’t buy food, retailers lose revenue, suppliers cut back orders, and regional economies slow down. It’s not just the hungry who suffer—entire communities do.”

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The Political and Administrative Dispute

The Biden-era expansion of SNAP benefits, enacted during the pandemic to help households cope with job losses and inflation, was rolled back in early 2025 as part of broader federal cost-cutting measures. However, Congress maintained baseline funding at pre-pandemic levels through the 2025 fiscal year, leading to questions about the current delay.

Booker claimed that the administration’s decision to withhold already-approved funds was not based on a lack of budgetary capacity but rather on political strategy. He cited a recent investigativesuggesting the move was intended to “inflict maximum pain” during negotiations over spending priorities. While White House officials have not directly addressed those claims, an administration spokesperson said in a brief statement that “funding allocations are under administrative review to ensure fiscal responsibility.”

Several governors and mayors have joined the call for immediate action, including leaders from Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California. In a letter sent this week to federal officials, a coalition of 18 state executives wrote that “delays in SNAP disbursements threaten food access for millions and undercut the stability of local food economies.”

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Regional Impact and Public Reaction

Nowhere is the tension more visible than in New Jersey. Food pantries in Newark, Trenton, and Camden have reported double-digit increases in traffic this month as families brace for potential interruptions in benefits. Many organizations say they are already operating beyond capacity, relying heavily on donations from local businesses and faith groups.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Maria Lopez, director of the South Jersey Community Food Alliance. “We’re serving parents who work full time but still can’t keep up with the cost of groceries. If SNAP payments are delayed, we’ll see even longer lines—especially heading into Thanksgiving.”

Residents like Lisa Monroe, a single mother of two in Paterson, expressed anxiety about the uncertainty. “Every dollar counts right now,” she said. “My kids get school lunch, but dinners depend on SNAP. If that money doesn’t come, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Other regions echo similar concerns. In the Midwest, food assistance organizations report growing requests for emergency meal boxes, especially in areas where large employers have laid off workers. In the South, rural counties with limited grocery access—often referred to as “food deserts”—face compounding challenges from both high transportation costs and reduced public aid.

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Broader Implications for National Policy

The unfolding SNAP funding dispute raises broader questions about the role of federal social programs in stabilizing households amid economic strain. Analysts say that although the economy has shown signs of moderate growth in 2025, wage gains remain uneven, and grocery prices continue to ratchet upward due to ongoing supply chain disruptions and global commodity pressures.

If the delay continues, the impact could extend to retailers and wholesalers who rely on predictable benefit cycles. Industry groups such as the Food Marketing Institute and the National Grocers Association have warned that inconsistent funding undermines the stability of merchant operations, particularly in small towns and low-income neighborhoods where SNAP transactions represent a significant portion of sales.

From an economic standpoint, even a partial interruption could reduce consumer spending enough to shave fractions off quarterly GDP growth. “It might sound minor compared to other fiscal issues, but SNAP is a bellwether for household financial health,” said Elise Carter, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “When these payments stop, the hardship shows up in retail data almost immediately.”

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Calls for Transparency and Resolution

Senator Booker concluded his remarks with a direct appeal to the administration to release the funds “without delay or political precondition.” He also called for greater transparency in how federal nutrition programs are administered, arguing that public accountability is essential to maintaining trust in government services.

Advocacy groups supporting SNAP recipients are planning a series of rallies and virtual town halls in the coming days to keep the issue in the public eye. Many are urging residents to contact their congressional representatives to demand a resolution.

“This is about the moral fabric of our nation,” Booker said. “When children go to bed hungry while funding sits idle, we’ve failed not just them, but ourselves. The time to act is now.”

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A Growing Test of Economic Priorities

As lawmakers weigh competing budget demands, the SNAP funding impasse underscores a recurring challenge in federal policy: balancing fiscal restraint with the immediate human costs of delay. Economists warn that prolonged uncertainty could erode public confidence and make it harder for states to manage social programs efficiently.

Public officials across party lines agree that the coming weeks will be critical. If funding is not released by early November, states could begin running out of reserve funds used to bridge short-term gaps, leaving families to rely solely on charitable networks.

For now, millions of Americans wait anxiously, hoping that Washington finds a solution before grocery budgets run dry. Whether the Trump administration releases the funds in time may determine not only the fate of SNAP recipients this fall but also the broader reputation of the federal commitment to fighting hunger in one of the wealthiest nations on earth.