Smiley implores both sides of aisle to end government shutdown and stem healthcare costs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Effects of the nationwide SNAP cutoff were already being felt locally Monday morning, according to some Rhode Island officials.

Federal judges in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have weighed in on the pause in benefits, with the order coming from an Ocean State bench that the Trump administration temporarily continue SNAP funding.

On Monday, the Trump administration responded to their rulings and agreed to a partial funding of SNAP.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said before the funding announcement that Republicans in Congress were playing dangerous political games using the food benefits crisis as leverage.

President Trump commented that he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats in the government shutdown.

ABC 6 asked Smiley Monday if he felt that leadership on the left should bear any of the blame in the SNAP situation and the shutdown.

He said Republicans are mostly responsible, since they hold the majority in the House and Senate, but conceded that discourse between both sides was much needed.

“Both parties should absolutely be talking and working on a resolution,” Smiley said. “But the other thing that has happened, which has been the sticking point on behalf of the Democrats in Congress, has been the Affordable Care Act subsidies.”

“We are now in open enrollment, and Americans, Rhode Islanders, Providence residents are starting to see the effect of those subsidies expire and the cost for their health insurance doubling, tripling even worse, depending on family composition and where you are in this country,” Smiley continued.

Local leaders had said that help will be available to affected residents regardless of the Trump Administration’s compliance with the judges’ orders.

In the meantime, to find food banks in Rhode Island, you can go here.

For Massachusetts residents in need of assistance, click here.