Assembly Democrats Demand Trump Restore Federal Food Aid for Kids, Seniors, Families

SACRAMENTO — Speaker Robert Rivas and Assembly Democrats are calling on President Trump and Republicans to immediately restore federal funding for food assistance programs for millions of California families, children and seniors.

Because of the GOP government shutdown, the Trump administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture have confirmed that federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, will be suspended beginning this Saturday, November 1.

The impact on Californians will be devastating: more than 5.5 million residents across all corners of the state — mostly children, seniors, veterans and working families — will lose access to the benefits they depend on to put food on the table.

CalFresh is a lifeline for Californians, with one in seven residents utilizing the program. CalFresh primarily serves working families — about 63 percent of households receiving CalFresh benefits include someone who was employed during the year. It is also the largest and most effective child anti-hunger program: nearly half of all recipients are children, and two-thirds of benefits go to households with children. Additionally, more than a third of benefits go to families with seniors or people with disabilities.

“This is not a drill. Trump’s government shutdown is literally taking food away from our kids,” Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) said. “But when Republicans fail to lead, Assembly Democrats will do everything in our power to help parents and seniors pay for groceries and celebrate the holidays, because it’s our job to fight for programs that put food on the table.”

WATCH: Speaker Rivas Demands Trump Administration Deliver Federal Food Aid and End GOP Shutdown

This week, President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson refused to tap into a $5 billion SNAP contingency fund to pay for food benefits during the government shutdown. Furthermore, Republican leaders have no plans to put a standalone bill for expiring food aid benefits up for a vote. Speaker Johnson himself recognizes the severity of cutting off SNAP benefits stating, “the pain register is about to hit level 10,” in a meeting with House Republicans.

California leaders are taking legal action to protect this essential program. Attorney General Bonta, joined by a coalition of 23 other attorney generals, filed a lawsuit today against the USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins for indefinitely suspending SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. The lawsuit points out that the USDA has funds to cover all or a large portion of November SNAP benefits, and that halting them is unlawful, arbitrary, and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Assembly Democrats Demand Trump Restore Food Assistance

“Families are hurting right now, so they don’t have time for political games. They’re counting on this food aid to put dinner on the table. And our farmers, already devastated by the Trump Administration’s tariffs, don’t need another blow to their livelihood. There’s no excuse for denying this aid when the money was already provided in the federal budget. I’m disappointed that for some, partisan politics are winning over our kids and family farmers,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), who is also chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. “In California, we don’t let our neighbors go hungry. That’s why Assembly Democrats are demanding the Trump Administration follow the law and release this aid. Our families and farmers need action.”

“SNAP is a lifeline for California families. In our state alone, the program supports more than 1 million seniors, 1.8 million children, and over 2 million working adults, with 5.5 million Californians in total who rely on these benefits to keep food on the table. Yet Republicans are using them as leverage to defund healthcare," said Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), chair of the Assembly Health Committee and co-chair of the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition. “California is fast-tracking $80 million in state funds to fill the gaps, but we know that’s only a drop in the bucket compared to the harm caused by Trump’s inhumane shutdown. Despite $6 billion in SNAP contingency funds already appropriated by Congress, the federal government is choosing to keep accounts empty and leave working families to shoulder the cost of its cruelty. SNAP must be immediately prioritized for contingency funding so our children and families don’t go hungry.”

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans are putting millions of Californians at risk with their reckless government shutdown,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), chair of the Assembly Committee on Budget. “It’s time for D.C. Republicans to do the right thing and ensure our hardworking families can keep putting food on the table.”

“Feeding our people is not up for debate, it’s our duty. Every cut to social programs, every delay in support, and every refusal to act is a choice that keeps families stuck in survival mode. I stand with Assembly Democrats to protect families from the threat of hunger. As leaders, it is our duty to provide the resources and opportunities that allow families to live with dignity and respect, not despite our efforts, but because of them,” said Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services.

“Trump’s radical agenda is clear: feed the billionaires and starve working families. Millions already struggle to afford skyrocketing groceries under the Trump regime’s H.R. 1, trade wars that hurt our farmers, and tariff-induced inflation. The Republican federal shutdown is jeopardizing CalFresh food benefits and Californians can’t afford to wait. Delays of food assistance will be devastating for the 5.5 million Californians who depend on this lifeline. While Republicans are gambling with real people’s lives, I and the Assembly Democrats demand the Trump Administration to deliver food aid and a functioning government for the people,” said Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Milpitas), chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee.

“The USDA should never intentionally delay food benefits to millions of children and families. The same American households who depend on SNAP to put food on their table. It’s cruel, un-American, and shameful,” Assemblymember Esmerelda Soria (D-Merced), chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. “In the Central Valley, we are stepping up to ensure our communities do NOT go hungry, by working with local organizations to support our local food banks. Yesterday, we announced $10,000 in donations to the Central California Food Bank in Fresno—In order to shore up a vital backfill of food resources to help with the anticipated increase in demand for food assistance.”

How CalFresh Helps Families, Veterans, Seniors and Kids in California

CalFresh provides essential support to low-income workers and families, helping them afford groceries. The program is fully funded by the federal government, so a prolonged federal shutdown forces families to choose between paying rent, buying food, or covering medical bills.

This loss of benefits has a cascading effect across California’s economy. Grocery stores, local farmers, and food producers all depend on CalFresh purchases to keep their doors open. When Republicans cut off federal funding, billions of dollars in food spending vanishes.

To help mitigate the harms of the Trump shutdown, California is fast-tracking $80 million to local food banks, which was allocated by Democrats in this year’s state budget. Additionally, the California National Guard will be deployed in a non-law enforcement capacity to assist at food banks in anticipation of increased demand. 

In addition to the more than 5 million Californians who rely on CalFresh, it is estimated that 42 million Americans will lose benefits in essential food assistance this week due to Trump’s shutdown.

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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:

Instagram: @caspeakerrivas

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