The USDA has accused Democrats of voting “12 times to not fund” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Boston, called a looming food aid cutoff "contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious." The Agriculture Department in a recent memo said it can't use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits,

Millions of Texans are expected to be impacted by the halt in SNAP benefits next month, as a result of the government shutdown. Austin-area food banks stay open to help those facing food insecurity.

The Democratic officials contend the administration is legally required to keep benefits going as long as it has funding.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo shuffles state funds to support food banks, while Attorney General Aaron Ford has joined lawsuit to block SNAP shutdown.

Food assistance for more than 40 million people – including 750,000 in Alabama – will stop Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues.

The emergency funding for the program formerly known as food stamps would help 1.4 million Michigan residents who face losing food assistance in November as the federal government remains shut down.

Republican Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, both of Ohio, have signed on to the Keep SNAP Funded Act. Vice President JD Vance, another Ohioan, says Republicans need just "five more Democratic votes" to end the shutdown.