Merkley, Stabenow Decry Potential Loss of Food Assistance if Republicans Shut Down Government

Press Release

Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley, the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today decried the potential loss or delay of food assistance for millions of Americans if the government shuts down next week, and called on Republicans to work responsibly with Democrats to avoid an unnecessary, politically-driven shutdown disaster.

"On a week when the Pope is making an historic visit to Washington to remind us all of our moral obligation to care for the poorest and most vulnerable among us, it is shameful that we are even contemplating a politically-driven shutdown that would take food off the tables of millions of children, seniors, and disabled Americans," said Merkley. "It's time for our colleagues across the aisle to finally get to work and make sure millions of Americans don't go hungry."

"We are eight days away from a government shutdown, and Republican leaders are wasting time on divisive political grandstanding," Stabenow said. "This brinksmanship has real consequences. It's time for Republicans to join us in a bipartisan, balanced approach that keeps our government open and keeps food on the table for American seniors, families, and people with disabilities."

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