Representative María Elvira Salazar of Florida’s 27th District has joined Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa in introducing the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 (H.R. 5822). The bill aims to ensure that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to operate fully during any government shutdown, protecting food assistance for millions of Americans.
The legislation instructs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep SNAP running at full capacity even if there is a lapse in federal funding. This measure is designed to prevent families from losing access to groceries due to political disagreements in Washington.
“SNAP keeps families stable during difficult times by ensuring they can buy groceries and put food on the dinner table. It’s not a distant policy; it’s our neighbors’ lifeline, with one in eight Americans depending on it,” said Rep. Salazar. “That’s why I co-sponsored the Keep SNAP Funded Act. This bill ensures that benefits continue and Miami families don’t lose vital support during the shutdown. Food should never be used as a political weapon.”
Rep. Miller-Meeks added, “Iowa doesn’t have an abundance of food banks and pantries to absorb a major lapse in SNAP. Any delay would be catastrophic for thousands of families already struggling with the cost of living. This bill provides the certainty they deserve while Congress works to resolve the shutdown.”
If enacted, the bill would allow the Secretary of Agriculture access to emergency funds so that SNAP operations can continue throughout any government shutdown, and would provide retroactive authority to restore missed benefits if there is a lapse.
Salazar’s involvement with this legislation follows her previous actions aimed at protecting Floridians during government funding gaps. She voted for a House-passed continuing resolution intended to keep government operations running and safeguard key programs while budget negotiations proceed. Additionally, she joined other members of the Republican Women Caucus in urging female Democratic senators through a letter to take immediate action to end the shutdown and protect programs such as WIC.
Background information provided indicates that due to disagreements over passing a clean continuing resolution, approximately 42 million people may not receive their SNAP benefits starting November 1st. This situation affects all recipients, including those who applied late in October and furloughed federal employees who are expecting combined October/November benefits.
In Florida, nearly three million residents depend on SNAP benefits, with about one-quarter of households in Miami-Dade County relying on this assistance program; within District 27 specifically, 17% of households use SNAP.
Other co-sponsors for H.R. 5822 include Representatives Max L. Miller (OH-7), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Brett Guthrie (KY-2), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-7), Thomas H. Kean (NJ-7), James Comer (KY-1), Andy Barr (KY-6), Robert P. Bresnahan (PA-8), Zachary Nunn (IA-3), Jeff Hurd (CO-3), and Christopher H. Smith (NJ-4).
