“If This Isn’t a Rainy Day, I Don’t Know What Is,” Says Rep. Toni Rose as Snap Benefits End November 1
A coalition of 57 Texas House Democrats is calling on Governor Greg Abbott to declare a state of emergency and release temporary state funds to maintain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 3.5 million Texans—including 1.7 million children—who are set to lose assistance starting November 1 due to the ongoing Republican-led federal government shutdown.
The lawmakers’ request, organized by the newly formed Committee on the Texas Hunger Crisis, urges Abbott to use state emergency powers to prevent widespread hunger and economic strain. Their letter emphasizes that other states, including Louisiana and Virginia, have already taken similar steps to fill the funding gap.
“Families who rely on SNAP to feed their children and seniors who depend on it for groceries will have nowhere to turn,” the letter states. “Governors in Louisiana and Virginia have already taken decisive action to protect their residents during this period of uncertainty. Texas should do the same.”
Rep. Toni Rose (D-Dallas), co-chair of the committee, stressed the urgency:
“Starting Friday, more than 1-in-10 Texans will begin to go without the food assistance they’ve relied on to feed their families. Texas has a $33 billion rainy day fund. If 3.5 million Texans losing access to food isn’t a rainy day, I don’t know what is. Texas can lead the way out of this crisis—if we choose to.”
Committee co-chair Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston) added that the governor has both the power and the responsibility to act.
It’s un-Texan and un-American to turn a blind eye to our neighbors’ suffering, Walle said. Governor Abbott has the clear authority to use state funds to bridge the gap in federal funding and keep Texans fed — he should do it without delay.
Texas House Democrats announced that they will continue to coordinate with local food banks, community organizations, and anti-hunger advocates to mitigate the impact of the SNAP shutdown. The Committee on the Texas Hunger Crisis also plans to investigate how the loss of food benefits will affect Texas families and propose immediate state-level solutions.
The full letter to Governor Abbott can be read on the Texas House Democratic Caucus website.
