By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Thursday to keep food assistance going for Virginians as the federal government shutdown drags on.
Youngkin said the order lets the state use emergency funds to continue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits until Congress passes a funding deal.
“The Democrat shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1,” Youngkin said in a statement. “I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as leverage by Congressional Democrats.”
The governor called the move extraordinary but said it was necessary “because of the shamelessness of Congressional Democrats – including every Democrat in our entire delegation – who refuse to pass a clean continuing resolution to open the Federal government. I once again call on Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine to end this nonsense and vote to pass a clean CR.”
As previously reported by The Center Square, the shutdown puts millions of Americans at risk of losing food and childcare support. Federal programs such as SNAP, WIC, and Head Start are expected to run out of funds Nov. 1, affecting as many as 49 million people nationwide.
According to the governor’s office, the Commonwealth plans to continue providing benefits “until congressional Democrats put the interests of Virginians in need ahead of their politics.”
Kaine responded on X, writing, “Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill permanently ripped SNAP benefits away from tens of thousands of Virginians. You supported it. Since you care now, I’m sure you’ll join my call on Trump to use unspent USDA funds to pay for SNAP during his shutdown.”