Gov. Tony Evers warned nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites could lose access to groceries with the state’s FoodShare program set to run out of funding at the end of the month due to the federal government shutdown.
The federal government has been shut down for three weeks as lawmakers in Washington have failed to reach an agreement to extend funding amid a fight over enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Evers in a statement yesterday said Wisconsin families are already struggling, pointing to rising costs and President Donald Trump’s “chaotic trade wars.” He criticized Republicans for the shutdown, which he called “reckless and harmful.”
“There’s no excuse for it. None. No person should ever go hungry—most especially not in the United States of America,” the guv said. “President Trump and Republicans in Congress must work across the aisle and end this shutdown now so Wisconsinites and Americans across our country have access to basic necessities like food and groceries that they need to survive.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor, criticized Evers’ comments as misleading.
“Hey Tony, do you need a civics lesson on the Senate’s 60-vote rule, or are you just trying to mislead Wisconsinites? Democrats have voted 11 times to shut these programs down. Maybe you should ask Senator Baldwin why she is blocking the bipartisan bill and holding them hostage,” Tiffany, R-Minoqua, said.
FoodShare is currently funded through the end of the month. But the Trump administration recently notified states that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funding to cover full November benefits for approximately 42 million people nationally. The administration has directed states to delay issuing benefits to vendors for November until further notice.
Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson said FoodShare recipients should know benefits may not be available on their QUEST cards in November.
“This may include any funds remaining on your card at the end of October,” Johnson said. “Members who have benefits on their cards may want to stock up on food items that don’t go bad—canned goods, boxed items, with their benefits before the end of October.”
DHS is notifying FoodShare members this week of the potential delay. Wisconsin WIC, which provides special supplemental nutrition assistance to women, infants and children, remains available.
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, told WisPolitics House Republicans voted for a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open and ensure programs like FoodShare continue without interruption.
“Unfortunately, Senate Democrats, including our Senator Tammy Baldwin, have chosen to hold Wisconsinites’ access to food hostage by voting to shut down the government a dozen times,” Wied said. “It is unconscionable that they would continue to play political games while the American people suffer.”
He called for Baldwin and Senate Dems to vote to open the government immediately to ensure Wisconsinites don’t have to worry about going hungry.
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