The U.S. government shutdown is exposing critical social vulnerabilities in our society. Unless a last-minute solution resolves the congressional impasse, federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will run dry on Nov. 1. SNAP is not the only program at risk. Meals on Wheels, which serves over 2 million seniors, and WIC, a vital lifeline for nearly 7 million mothers and young children, are also expected to exhaust their reserves. These are just a few of the many programs working to bridge economic gaps in our nation.
Opportunistic Democrats are maneuvering to exploit this looming crisis to pressure stubborn Republicans, who remain committed to passing a “clean continuing resolution” — legislation that funds the government under existing policies. Without it, 42 million low-income residents will miss November benefits unless state governors, like Virginia’s Republican Glenn Youngkin, step in with direct funding. Yet Democrats, such as Maryland Governor Wes Moore, have signaled they will let the programs lapse without federal reimbursement guarantees, using the moment to condemn the Trump administration for failing to fund SNAP.
The root issue? Funding for these federal food programs is blocked by a Democratic procedural filibuster of a Republican bill that would sustain them. The Trump administration could be breaking the law if it unilaterally funded the programs as Moore demands. Contingency funds exist, but the USDA has issued clear guidance: They are “not legally available to cover regular benefits.” States may fund the programs at their own expense, but the department explicitly warns that no reimbursements will be issued. In short, unless Democrats end their filibuster, there will be no federal money for these programs.
In Fiscal Year 2024, taxpayers spent nearly $100 billion on SNAP benefits alone — excluding the additional billions for WIC, Meals on Wheels and other nutrition programs. I don’t reflexively object to the cost; legitimate needs exist in a stratified economy. But moments like this reinforce my deep wariness of unchecked federal generosity. Programs like SNAP have evolved from short-term relief into full subsistence for millions, creating dependency that now threatens systemic stability.
As Nov. 1 approaches, unease is palpable. Retailers are right to be anxious about operational chaos. A CBS News report quotes Gina Plata-Nino, interim SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center, warning that delayed benefits will force families to choose between rent and feeding their children. Others speak of “systemic desperation” on the horizon. In all cases, deep concern exists for both retailers and beneficiaries of federal benefits alike.
Policymakers must fundamentally rethink how we address basic needs. Every policy should promote independence and empowerment, not entrench reliance. The current gridlock in Washington exposes the peril of sustaining a vast dependency class. Simply promising provision is not enough — we must reserve taxpayer assistance to those in truly extreme need, or those in a season of economic hardship.
Several reforms demand immediate public debate. First, we must reject the social normalization of fragmented families. A man who fathers a child must be held accountable to provide for that child and its mother. While governors decry the “unsustainability” of SNAP stopgaps, I will keep shouting about the greater unsustainability of subsidizing broken family structures. A man must be willing to “break his back” to provide for his family. Second, all assistance programs must include sunset provisions and strict eligibility reviews. Support should go to those with significant needs and there should be limits on payments toward those who are able-bodied and capable of productivity. Finally, we should impose limits on purchasable goods. Taxpayers are generally willing to provide what is necessary for basic nutrition, but items related to comfort and convenience should be relegated to private generosity.
These are starting points, but they require moral courage and genuine compassion. The shutdown and its cascading effects offer a rare national mirror — a chance to confront our trajectory and pivot toward a future rooted in independence, empowerment and human dignity.
Torrey Snow is a columnist and editorial board contributor at The Baltimore Sun; he can be reached at tsnow@baltsun.com.
