Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Legislation to Support Food Banks During Future Lapses in SNAP Funding
Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Legislation to Support Food Banks During Future Lapses in SNAP Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06) has introduced the Food Bank Emergency Support Act designed to safeguard Americans’ access to food during any future lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding. This legislation strengthens the nation’s hunger-relief network by increasing emergency funding for food pantries, ensuring they can continue serving most vulnerable American families.
When the Administration withheld emergency SNAP funds for November during the 2025 government shutdown, more than 42 million Americans scrambled to find a way to put food on the table. With little warning and millions in need of assistance, food banks and pantries stepped up to feed American families and federal workers, but were quickly stretched to their limits.
Food banks are funded by the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which typically provides one meal for every nine meals delivered by SNAP. Currently, TEFAP is funded at $462.5 million every year. If enacted, this bill would double TEFAP’s funding to fill the emergency gap when SNAP lapses in funding.
“Families don’t stop needing food just because Washington experiences a funding lapse, and during the recent shutdown we saw firsthand how painful the pause in SNAP benefits was for households across Maryland’s Sixth District,” said Rep. McClain Delaney. “As I joined volunteers packing meals, it was clear our food pantries were stretched to the limit, doing everything they could with limited resources. This bill ensures that even when federal funding stalls, families can still count on access to food and our pantries receive the support they need to respond quickly and effectively.”
The Maryland Food Bank endorsed the bill.
"The Maryland Food Bank, like other food banks nationwide, is built to respond in emergency situations, providing nutritious food when other options aren't available. The Food Bank Emergency Support Act ensures we can continue to provide healthy food even when safety net programs like SNAP are disrupted—meaning more stability for families and communities. We urge Congress to pass this legislation so we can continue to fight for food security, even in times of crisis and uncertainty," said President & CEO Meg Kimmel, Maryland Food Bank.
Cosponsors include: Ansari (AZ-03), Beatty (OH-03), Carson (IN-07), Dingell (MI-06), Elfreth (MD-03), Fields (LA-06), Figures (AL-02), H. Johnson (GA-04), Mannion (NY-22), Mfume (MD-07), Norton (DC-At Large), Schrier (WA-08), Sewell (AL-07), Thanedar (MI-13), Thompson (CA-04), Titus (NV-01), Tlaib (MI-12)