Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) angrily shut down a right-wing reporter for spreading misinformation about funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. He then set the record straight that, as the shutdown continues, Republicans are refusing to release the available contingency funds that would help feed the millions of Americans who rely on the program. The reporter began asking about the so-called dispute over whether contingency funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can be used to prevent SNAP benefits from lapsing, but Schumer interrupted to inform her there is no dispute. Related Riley Gaines tried to insult AOC. The congresswoman had the last laugh. Wait a minute. Excuse me. It is not a dispute, he said. It is fact they can use it, and the Republicans say it.He continued to push back against her claims that there isnt enough money available anyway, and declared, Theres enough money to start feeding people right away. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today $6 billion is a lot of money, and theyre using it for other things $20 billion for Argentina, hundreds of millions for Kristi Noems plane who are we kidding here?The bottom line is they can fund it just as in 2019, just as in other shutdowns, for a long period of time. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) then stepped up to the podium to add that if and when the contingency fund ran out, Congress could vote to pass one of two bills that have been proposed in the Senate to keep SNAP funding open as the shutdown continues, both of which she said would no doubt receive the 60 votes needed. Why arent they calling it up? Theyre not calling it up because the House isnt here to pass it. Thats the way it works. The House would have to come here. They probably would have to vote on the Epstein files. But theyre choosing to let kids go hungry instead of having to vote on the Epstein files. Theres no doubt about it. They have been out for six weeks on vacation.Schumer added, Just think if they have all this money for Argentina, and all this money for other things, they have enough money to keep funding SNAP, and they know it. Despite Republicans withholding contingency funds, the administration is blaming Democrats for the impending lapse in SNAP benefits, accusing them of refusing to reopen the federal government to fund the program because they are holding out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures.Over the weekend, a message appeared on the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA)websitewarning that amid the ongoing shutdown, SNAP benefits, which provide 1 in 8 Americans with monthly food assistance, will not be paid starting November 1. Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the message reads. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.As the shutdown stretches into its fifth week, Senate Democrats have indeed refused to throw their full weight behind a Republican-backed stopgap bill to reopen the government and fund it at previous levels through November 21. But contrary to the USDA message, Democrats are actually holding out for legislation extending federal subsidies that would prevent the cost of Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plans from skyrocketing next year. Republicans, meanwhile, refuse to negotiate on those subsidies until Democrats agree to reopen the government.AsNPRreported Monday, an unsigned USDAmemothat began circulating on October 24 argues that the approximately $6 billion Congress has set aside in multi-year SNAP contingency funds cannot be used to fund the program during the shutdown. SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits. The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists, the memo reads.But as NPR notes, the memo conflicts with the USDAs October 1 shutdown contingency plan.Congressional intent is evident that SNAPs operations should continue during a shutdown, read the plan, which has since been removed from the USDAs website. The multi-year SNAP contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year, the plan stated.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.