Speaker Rivas, Assemblymember Mark González Support Food Distribution in Los Angeles as Trump’s Shutdown Cuts Off Benefits for Families

LOS ANGELES — As President Trump’s government shutdown halts food assistance and CalFresh benefits in California, Speaker Robert Rivas joined fellow Assembly and Congressional leaders on Wednesday to highlight state and local efforts to support food distribution and aid programs.

The Speaker, Assemblymember Mark González, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Congressmember Jimmy Gomez and leaders from the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles toured Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA’s food distribution operation. They met with families and volunteers who are helping fill the gap left by the Republican shutdown. The event underscored how Trump’s refusal to provide emergency aid or end the shutdown has cut off vital food assistance for millions of Californians.

“Trump is ignoring a court order and literally taking food off the table from millions, denying groceries to kids and seniors, and leaving families at the mercy of his Republican shutdown. It’s un-American. We are doing everything possible to fill in this awful gap so that families don’t go hungry during the holidays,” Speaker Robert Rivas said.

“Once again, I am utterly confused by Congressional Republicans’ choice to hold health care and food assistance benefits hostage," Assemblymember Mark González said. “This is just further evidence that Republicans choose politics over the lives of even their own constituents. Maybe it’s time for Trump to put down the plans for his billionaire ballroom and come to the table with solutions. Lives are on the line, and Americans will remember who is at fault.”

WATCH: Speaker Rivas supports food distribution efforts at East Los Angeles YMCA

Due to Trump’s shutdown, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or CalFresh, has been suspended for more than 5.5 million Californians. On November 1, parents, children, seniors, veterans and working families lost access to the benefits they depend on to put food on the table.

This year, the Assembly and Legislature secured tens of millions of dollars in additional funding for food banks, and California is fast-tracking $80 million of that funding to help distribute food as families head into the holiday season. 

Operations like the YMCA’s programs serve as critical support for those in need of food. The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles alone has distributed more than 4 million pounds of food this year and provided $3 million in financial assistance to the local community.

California leaders are also pursuing legal action to protect food aid. Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by 23 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending SNAP benefits during the shutdown, despite available contingency funds. 

A federal judge ruled in favor of the lawsuit, ordering Trump to pay SNAP benefits for the month of November. The Trump administration agreed to partially fund the program and beneficiaries are expected to receive 50% of their normal food assistance. However, it could take up to several months for CalFresh recipients to receive this funding.

CalFresh is a lifeline for Californians, with one in seven residents using 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.

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.

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

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