Today, Representative Lois Frankel, joined by all Florida House Democrats, sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to join 26 states in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s refusal to release $6 billion in contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The lawsuit also calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reimburse states that cover SNAP benefits with their own funds once the government reopens.

Without immediate action, the Trump Administration’s refusal to use these emergency funds could leave approximately 3 million Floridians, including 160,000 Palm Beach County residents, at immediate risk of going hungry when SNAP benefits run out on November 1.

“The impact of a suspension of benefits would be immediate and severe, forcing Florida’s children, seniors, Veterans, and working families to turn to already-strained food banks and local charities for help,” the Members wrote. “Florida’s most vulnerable residents should not pay the price for the Trump Administration’s refusal to use funds Congress has already made available.”

“We urge you to put Florida’s interests first by joining Commonwealth of Massachusetts et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture et al. and demanding that USDA release the funds needed to keep food assistance flowing to those who depend on it.”

For full text of the letter, click here.