Utah congressman supports continued SNAP payments as shutdown nears record length

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy expressed support on Monday for partially funding food assistance after two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to do that amid the government shutdown.

But the freshman Republican congressman called the move to use a contingency fund to pay for SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, a “temporary” fix.

“How long is that going to be able to function? Not for very long,” Kennedy told reporters Monday afternoon at the Utah Capitol. The congressman urged the U.S. Senate to vote to reopen the government, which has been shut down for 34 days, nearing the all-time record of 35 days.

It was not immediately clear how much money Utahns would receive for November’s SNAP payments, or when they would get it. A Department of Workforce Services spokesperson told KSL they did not have any further guidance yet from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program.

Related: Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

About 86,000 Utah households currently receive SNAP benefits to help pay for food, according to state officials.

“The question is,” Kennedy continued, “why don’t my Democratic colleagues just fund the government, which I already voted in support of back on Sept. 19.”

During his comments on Monday, Kennedy repeatedly blamed Democrats for the gridlock, although he said he has not talked with the minority party since the House recessed after voting for a stopgap funding bill in September.

“I haven’t talked to any Democrats because there’s nothing for me to talk with them about,” he said. “I’m visiting with my constituents while I’m in the district. Nobody’s reached out to me. I’ve not reached out to anybody specific.”

Republicans control the White House, House and Senate, but they will need some Democrats to vote with them to clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Both parties have been playing the blame game since the shutdown began Oct. 1, but Kennedy pushed back when asked if Republicans hold any blame.

In a social media post from 2021, when Democrats held a trifecta in Washington, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said, “If there’s a government shutdown, they’ll still blame Republicans. What a joke.”

“I don’t know why Jim Jordan would say such a thing,” Kennedy said. “I have great respect for him. He understands we need 60 votes in the Senate.”

Related: Legislature pledges up to $4M to Utah food banks as shutdown ends SNAP payments

The congressman went on to say eliminating the procedural rule requiring that many votes – known as the filibuster – is “worthy of discussion,” after President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to scrap it last week.

“The 60-vote threshold is really interesting, and it seems to be a real struggle for us. Why not 55? Why not 53?” he asked. “Put it up to 75. I mean, these numbers to me, I see numerous possibilities with that.”

Kennedy doesn’t get to weigh in on the future of the filibuster as the House of Representatives can pass legislation with a simple majority, but he said: “Right now it’s pretty frustrating for us to see the government shut down, and the American people should be disgusted, frankly, that five Senate Democrats can’t come on board with a clean continuing resolution.”

However, a recent NBC News poll showed 52% of registered voters blamed Trump and Republicans for the shutdown, while 42% blamed Democrats. The same poll also found 4% said all parties were responsible, with 2% saying they didn’t know.

Going forward, Kennedy said he sees some light at the end of the tunnel and said talks could ramp up following elections in New York City, New Jersey, Virginia and other places on Tuesday.

“We know you can only hold your breath for so long. This is a breath-holding contest,” he said.

Related: Help for SNAP recipients brewing at a Clearfield coffee shop