New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency due to the potential disruption of SNAP benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. The governor accused the Trump administration of prioritizing political obstruction over supporting families, stating, “The Trump Administration would rather starve children and families than lift a finger to help them put food on the table.”

Hochul emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that 3 million New Yorkers face losing food assistance due to the GOP-led shutdown. She announced plans to allocate $65 million to food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food providers across the state. “We’re not going to be passive observers to this,” she said, blaming Republicans in Washington for the stalemate that jeopardized the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The governor’s move comes as 25 states, including New York, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration demanding the release of emergency SNAP funds. The legal action targets a $5 billion federal contingency fund, which the administration initially indicated could sustain benefits during a shutdown but later claimed was legally restricted.

Hochul’s declaration highlights growing tensions over the fate of SNAP, a program used by 1 in 8 Americans for grocery purchases. Republican state attorneys general have urged Congress to pass a “clean continuing resolution” to prevent the benefit freeze, but negotiations remain deadlocked. The federal government has warned that SNAP debit cards will stop receiving reloads starting November 1.