New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in order to raise $65m for food banks as federal funding for the national food stamps program is set to expire due to the ongoing government shutdown. The move comes after Oregon and Virginia also declared emergencies to make funds available to cover anticipated shortfalls in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to nearly 42 million people.
The federal government's refusal to fund SNAP benefits for low-income households in November is expected to leave about one in eight Americans struggling to afford food. In response, governors from various states are launching programs to provide benefits, including Delaware, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Vermont. These efforts aim to alleviate the impact of the government shutdown on vulnerable populations.
The Trump administration's decision not to fund SNAP benefits is part of its broader strategy to reduce federal spending and block policies promoted by Democratic lawmakers. However, critics argue that this move will disproportionately affect marginalized communities and exacerbate existing food insecurity issues.
Meanwhile, a new rule issued by the Department of Education aims to exclude employees of non-profit organizations that provide immigration services from qualifying for a government program that cancels student debt. The rule has been met with criticism from advocacy groups, who warn that it could undermine efforts to address climate change and promote social justice.
In other news, Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has called on climate leaders to resist attacks from the Trump administration, which he claims is attempting to intimidate and obstruct progress on environmental issues. Whitehouse argues that states and cities must continue to push for climate action despite these challenges.
The Senate has postponed its confirmation hearing for Casey Means, Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, after she went into labor with her first child. The decision to postpone the hearing highlights the complexities of navigating pregnancy and public office simultaneously.
In a separate development, former Environmental Protection Agency head Gina McCarthy has expressed support for states and cities in their efforts to combat climate change despite federal resistance. She argues that these efforts are crucial to advancing progress on environmental issues.
The federal government's refusal to fund SNAP benefits for low-income households in November is expected to leave about one in eight Americans struggling to afford food. In response, governors from various states are launching programs to provide benefits, including Delaware, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Vermont. These efforts aim to alleviate the impact of the government shutdown on vulnerable populations.
The Trump administration's decision not to fund SNAP benefits is part of its broader strategy to reduce federal spending and block policies promoted by Democratic lawmakers. However, critics argue that this move will disproportionately affect marginalized communities and exacerbate existing food insecurity issues.
Meanwhile, a new rule issued by the Department of Education aims to exclude employees of non-profit organizations that provide immigration services from qualifying for a government program that cancels student debt. The rule has been met with criticism from advocacy groups, who warn that it could undermine efforts to address climate change and promote social justice.
In other news, Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has called on climate leaders to resist attacks from the Trump administration, which he claims is attempting to intimidate and obstruct progress on environmental issues. Whitehouse argues that states and cities must continue to push for climate action despite these challenges.
The Senate has postponed its confirmation hearing for Casey Means, Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, after she went into labor with her first child. The decision to postpone the hearing highlights the complexities of navigating pregnancy and public office simultaneously.
In a separate development, former Environmental Protection Agency head Gina McCarthy has expressed support for states and cities in their efforts to combat climate change despite federal resistance. She argues that these efforts are crucial to advancing progress on environmental issues.
- like the government shutdown is having real-life consequences on people's lives, you know? one in eight americans struggling to afford food is just heartbreaking 
. it's not right that states have to step up and fill the gaps because of trump's policies, it's just not fair 
. and what's with this new rule from ed about student debt? it sounds like they're trying to punish non-profit orgs for doing good 
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. climate change is real and we need leaders who are willing to take action 
. and congrats to casey means on her new addition 
, but poor her for having to put everything on hold during the confirmation hearing 
. we can make a difference if we work together 
so the governor is declaring a state of emergency just because the federal funding for food banks is gonna be cut off? it's like they're saying we gotta step up and fill the gap ourselves. but isn't that just throwing more money at the problem instead of addressing the root cause? 
I mean, don't get me wrong, people do need help with food prices, but shouldn't we be working on making sure everyone has a stable income in the first place?
gotta keep pushin 4 climate action tho 
rhode island senator shelton whitehouse is speakin truth for once 
. And don't even get me started on that new rule about student debt... it's like, hello, isn't paying off loans supposed to be a thing? 
It's not that hard. And hey, at least states and cities are stepping up to fill the gap, right? 
Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is speaking truth to power about climate change, and I'm all for it 
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. And now, governors are stepping in to help? That's what we need more of - states and cities taking care of their own people 
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They're showing us that even when the feds aren't pulling their weight, states can still make a difference in people's lives #FoodForThought #SNAPtoTheRescue. It's all about supporting our neighbors who need it most and not letting politics get in the way of compassion 
. The fact that Oregon & Virginia are already doing this too is proof that we can come together to solve problems #UnitedWeStand #StateOfEmergency 
It's not like they're asking for much, just enough to put a bit of bread on the table. But I guess politics is all about priorities and who gets left out, right? 
SNAP benefits are already super limited now and they're gonna make it even harder for people struggling to get by. Also, did you hear about the new rule from the department of education that's gonna kick non-profit orgs outta some climate change programs? It's like, what's the point of even trying if the gov's just gonna sabotage everything 
it's just so messed up... but atleast some governors r stepping up and trying to help out their ppl 
governor Hochul from new york is a total hero for declaring an emergency to raise funds for food banks 
. but it's still super concerning that the trumps are just gonna cut funding for important programs like snap 
it's so heartbreaking 2 think that 1 in 8 americans are already strugglin 2 make ends meet & now they gotta worry bout where their nxt meal is comin from 
also theres this new rule by the dept of ed that's excludin people who work 4 non-profit orgs from cancelin student debt 
and it's not just about the $65m for food banks, it's bout the whole SNAP program bein cut off 
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they're tryin to exclude ppl from student debt relief who work at non-profits that help with immigration 
especially Sheldon Whitehouse, he's all about pushin 4 climate action 
government shutdown! They're basically taking away food from people who need it most 
. It's like they're trying to punish people who are already struggling to make ends meet 
. We need more support, not less! 
. I'm glad some states are taking initiative, but we need more. And what's with the rule from the Department of Education? Canceling student debt is a no-brainer 