The program, which provides food stamps to about 42 million people, is scheduled to run out of money on Nov. 1.
President Donald Trump said that he believes Republicans will solve how to fund food stamps, when he was asked about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the government shutdown.
SNAP is slated to expire by Nov. 1, potentially ending benefits for millions of people across the United States.
“We’re going to get it done,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday. “The Democrats have caused the problem, unfortunately. All they have to do is sign, and if they sign, I’ll meet with them.”
The president then suggested that the shutdown is linked to broader talks on health care and an extension of subsidies. Senate Democrats have refused 13 times to pass bills to reopen the government because those measures do not include health care provisions, including an extension of Obamacare subsidies slated to expire at the end of the year.
“We have to fix health care because Obamacare is a disaster,” Trump said, referring to the Affordable Care Act. “When you see the increases in Obamacare, it never worked, it never will work, and we could do something with the Democrats much better than Obamacare. Less money and better health care.”
Trump then added that health insurance companies are “making too much money” and said that talks are needed between both Republicans and Democrats when the shutdown ends.
“I think it’s a great time for the Republicans and the Democrats to get together and make something that will work,” the president said.
Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP provides food assistance to around 42 million people—generally low-income individuals—each month. The agency has warned that due to the shutdown, benefits are unlikely to be sent out starting Nov. 1.
In a statement posted on the USDA’s website earlier this week, the department warned that “the well has run dry” and that “we are approaching an inflection point” in the shutdown talks. The agency also blamed Democratic lawmakers for the shutdown and the loss of benefits.
