By Newspot Nigeria Politics Desk
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency across the Commonwealth, citing the looming exhaustion of federal food aid funds amid an ongoing government shutdown.
Governor Youngkin, a Republican, blamed Congressional Democrats for what he termed “the Democrat Shutdown,” warning that over 850,000 Virginians dependent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could lose access to food benefits starting November 1, 2025.
“I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as leverage by Congressional Democrats,”
Youngkin said in an official statement on Thursday.
“This is an extraordinary action and is only necessary because of the shamelessness of Congressional Democrats — including every Democrat in our entire delegation — who refuse to pass a clean continuing resolution to open the Federal government.”
The governor announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia will temporarily continue providing food benefits until Congress resolves the shutdown, accusing Democrats of prioritizing political bargaining over public welfare.
Youngkin also thanked President Donald Trump and his Administration for what he described as continued support to Virginia residents during the crisis.
The shutdown stems from a standoff in Congress, where Democrats insist on extending short-term Obamacare subsidies before approving a temporary spending bill. Republicans, however, argue that such negotiations should come only after passing a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the federal government.
The move marks one of Youngkin’s most forceful interventions since taking office, signaling the growing tension between federal and state governments as the economic and social impact of the shutdown widens.
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