US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D)Speaking at a Recent Event at Merrill Auditorium.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,423)

If  Congress fails to pass a spending bill by the end of this month and forces a government shutdown, 45 million people, including 230,000 in Maine could lose their SNAP benefit (formerly known as food stamps on October 1st) according to a press release issued by US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D).

:A politically motivated government shutdown would be a real hardship for thousands of Maine families, veterans and seniors who depend on food stamps to help make ends meet each month,” Pingree wrote.  “It’s shameful that some Congressional Republicans are trying to use their opposition to Planned Parenthood to force a government shutdown in the expense of families struggling to put food on the table.”

During the last government, Recovery Act funding was able to keep the food stamp program running, but that funding has run out and now the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not have enough funding to cover the cost of food stamps in October and may be forced to shut down the program on October 1st.

Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and sits on the subcommittee that provides funding for the USDA.