Faith Communities Urge Senate to Protect SNAP and Health Care in Shutdown Vote

Today, the Senate is set to vote on a funding package intended to reopen the government after more than a month of shutdown. The stalemate centers on an extension of the health care premium tax credits that millions of Americans rely on to afford insurance. Meanwhile, families who depend on SNAP are still facing delays and uncertainty about when their benefits will be dispersed. 

Just days ago, on Tuesday, November 4, I joined a determined group of faith leaders and advocates from diverse faith traditions at the United States Senate to deliver a faith letter carrying an urgent appeal: hold the line. Do not reopen the government without protecting the essential benefits people need to survive.

The faith letter we delivered, signed by nearly 250 interfaith communities and organizations—including Interfaith Alliance and Interfaith Alliance of North Dakota—called on Congress to negotiate a bipartisan solution that both opens the government and protects the programs families depend on. As the letter states, “The most vulnerable people in our communities across the country are undoubtedly bearing the brunt of this shutdown. This pain will only accelerate as funding reserves dry up for important programs.” 

Read the full letter here.

At the time of the visit, the government had been shut down for 35 days. SNAP benefits had not been dispersed and funding was uncertain. Health insurance premiums had risen sharply, and without continued support for the premium tax credits that millions rely on, many Americans face the loss of their health coverage for 2026.

We moved office to office, more than 20 in total, speaking with staff across the aisle. In one meeting, a faith leader drew from the teachings of their tradition, reminding everyone that we are not promised an easy tomorrow simply because we took a first step today. We cannot assume that opening the government will mean everything else falls into place. Families need food assistance and access to health care now, not someday. 

The decision made in the coming hours will determine whether families keep access to food assistance and health care or whether political gridlock once again outweighs human need. The message from faith communities across the nation could not be clearer. Protect food assistance. Protect healthcare. Protect human dignity.

The views and beliefs expressed in this post and all Interfaith Alliance blogs are those held by the author of each respective piece. To learn more about the organizational views, policies and positions of Interfaith Alliance on any issues, please contact [email protected].

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