River Bend Times

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) has introduced the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025, a bill designed to ensure that benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continue without interruption during a federal government shutdown.

The legislation would appropriate the necessary funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue issuing SNAP benefits even if there is a lapse in appropriations. This measure aims to prevent eligible recipients from experiencing disruptions due to political disputes in Washington.

"More than 262,000 Iowans, including 100,000 children, rely on SNAP to put food on the table," Miller-Meeks said. "Iowans cannot afford to be used as leverage in Washington’s political games. This bill ensures families continue to receive the nutrition support they depend on, no matter what happens in Congress."

The bill would grant the Secretary of Agriculture access to emergency funds to keep SNAP operations running throughout any shutdown and provide retroactive authority to restore missed benefits if there is a lapse.

Miller-Meeks said that while she continues to advocate for reopening the government, maintaining essential programs like SNAP is a priority for rural and working families. "Iowa doesn’t have an abundance of food banks and pantries to absorb a major lapse in SNAP," Miller-Meeks continued. "Any delay would be catastrophic for thousands of families already struggling with the cost of living. This bill provides the certainty they deserve while Congress works to resolve the shutdown."

According to the press release, SNAP operations typically remain funded for only 30 days after a lapse in appropriations. The new legislation would allow continuous delivery of benefits by granting the USDA the authority to allocate necessary funds during any shutdown period and retroactively cover missed payments.

The introduction of this bill is part of Miller-Meeks’ broader efforts to reduce the negative effects of the ongoing government shutdown. She has also supported the Pay Our Troops Act and the Eliminate Shutdowns Act, which aims to prevent future shutdowns.

Miller-Meeks has represented Iowa’s 1st district in the U.S. Congress since 2021, succeeding Dave Loebsack. She previously served in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2021 and was born in Herlong, California in 1955. She currently resides in Le Claire and holds a BSN from Texas Christian University.