Senate Republicans to Vote Against Democratic Bill Funding SNAP During Shutdown

WASHINGTON—Senate Republicans are expected to vote against a Democratic bill that would fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, amid the government shutdown. SNAP allows those with low to no income to buy food and beverages at grocery stores. While this benefit is mandatory—unlike with Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security—it is funded through appropriations. SNAP benefits were scheduled to be handed out on Nov. 1, but without government funding, that assistance will not be administered. On the Senate floor on Oct. 29, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said that a bill to fund SNAP, introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), is a ruse by the Democrats as not enough of them have joined Republicans to end the government shutdown....