I received an email from Congressman Nick Langworthy on Oct. 26 that is full of distortions designed to blame Democrats for his party’s callous disdain for the needs of ordinary people.

He starts by stating: “Today marks DAY 26 of the Schumer Shutdown and Democrats are on the brink of allowing 42 million Americans to go hungry.” This is a great example of putting lipstick on a pig. The only problem is that it’s HIS pig. It is his party that is planning on slashing SNAP benefits.

The truth is that the Republican-controlled Congress has declined to engage in meaningful bipartisan appropriations negotiations. Rather than work across the aisle to keep essential services funded, House leadership has focused on advancing the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” a partisan package that would slash nutrition programs and harm working families across New York and the nation.

The Big Beautiful Bill (formally the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025) includes several major reductions to SNAP (food stamp) benefits with changes set to take effect at different times over the next two years.

Starting November 2025, SNAP will require adults up to age 65, instead of 54, to work at least 80 hours per month, be in school or participate in job training to receive more than three months of benefits. Exemptions are narrowed, restricting the dependent child exemption to parents with kids under 14. Veterans, people experiencing homelessness and young adults aging out of foster care lose previous exemptions.​

The Congressional Budget Office estimates a reduction in SNAP funding of about $186 billion over the next 10 years — the largest cut in history.​

The bill makes it nearly impossible for states to waive work requirements during local recessions, only allowing waivers in areas where unemployment exceeds 10%, a threshold rarely met even in deep downturns. All existing waivers will be terminated by Nov. 2.​

Langworthy’s claim that Democrats are responsible for the government shutdown and that their proposed funding bill is not a “clean” continuation of support simply does not square with the facts. A clean continuing resolution would maintain existing funding levels and ensure that critical services — like food assistance, veterans’ benefits and small business support — remain uninterrupted. Democrats have offered exactly that. It is irresponsible to shift blame when obstruction and politically motivated legislation are the real causes of this unnecessary shutdown.

Voters deserve accountability, not slogans. The American people expect cooperation and solutions, not manufactured crises that hurt the families our leaders were elected to serve.

And, by the way, Langworthy is still drawing a salary. Shouldn’t elected officials be subjected to the same conditions as other federal employees? I wonder if he’s going to donate his salary to FeedMoreNY?

(Kristin Chambers lives in Hinsdale.)