Texas Democrats Press Governor Abbott to Deploy Emergency Funds as 3.5 Million Face Food Aid Cutoff
More than 50 Texas House Democrats sent an urgent letter to Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday, October 30th, 2025, to request his executive power for emergency state funding of food assistance because the federal government will stop SNAP benefits this weekend. The Republican Governor Greg Abbott needs to take immediate action through executive powers because the federal government will cut off all funding for food assistance, which affects 3.5 million low-income Texans who need nutrition support. The federal government shutdown has reached its 30th day, which will trigger a complete stoppage of $614 million in monthly food aid that supports 1.7 million children and 1.7 million other Texas residents who rely on SNAP for their grocery needs.
Emergency Powers Precedent Cited in Appeal
The Texas Tribune reports that Democratic lawmakers link Abbott’s emergency authority to his COVID-19 pandemic management and his responses to the Uvalde school shooting and border security challenges. The letter demands that you declare a state of emergency to support household benefits until federal operations resume. The federal government operates under a critical deadline for its ongoing activities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will cut off SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans nationwide on November 1 because of the ongoing federal shutdown stemming from partisan disputes over Affordable Care Act health insurance tax credit extensions.
Historic First in Six-Decade Program
The program has operated without interruption since President Lyndon Johnson established SNAP in 1964, according to KRGV News. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service sent state agencies notification in mid-October about funding shortages, which would prevent full November SNAP benefit payments for 42 million Americans across the nation, according to Texas Public Radio.
The United States has the highest number of food-insecure people because Texas holds the top position with six percent of households struggling with food insecurity, according to Feeding Texas. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which runs SNAP in Texas, told CBS Austin that it is tracking the effects of the federal government shutdown on benefit distribution and confirmed that November payments will stop if the shutdown continues.
Other States Take Emergency Action
Texas has not allocated emergency funding at this time, but multiple states have established protection programs for their at-risk citizens. The Louisiana state legislature passed a law dedicating $150 million to support SNAP benefits for 800,000 recipients across the state. In contrast, Governor Jeff Landry stated that the state will defend its most vulnerable citizens, including children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham established $30 million in emergency food assistance through EBT cards because 21 percent of the state's population depends on SNAP benefits, the nation’s highest rate. The Vermont state government used $6.3 million in state funds to support 15 days of SNAP benefits and $250,000 in food bank assistance.
Texas Recipients Average $400 Monthly
The program does not assist undocumented immigrants. The November SNAP price tag for the entire country is based on eligible recipients’ household size and income level, according to the Texas Tribune. The Lone Star Card, which functions as a debit system in Texas, distributes SNAP funds totaling about $8 billion, while Texas recipients will receive $614 million.
Senator John Cornyn has warned that many Texans face the possibility of losing their benefits during this funding emergency. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission provides Lone Star Card users with access to its website to obtain the latest details on the developing situation.
Abbott’s Previous Stance on Food Programs
Governor Abbott’s office has not yet responded to the Democratic lawmakers’ request for emergency funding. Earlier this year, Abbott vetoed $60 million in state budget funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, citing “significant uncertainty regarding federal matching rates for this and other similar programs,” according to KUT Radio. Anti-hunger advocates criticized that decision, with Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole noting that “nearly 1 in 4 children in Texas already face food insecurity”.
The current crisis leaves Texas families and food assistance advocates awaiting Abbott’s decision on whether to deploy emergency powers as the Saturday deadline approaches, with food banks across the state preparing for increased demand if federal benefits remain suspended.