Bulwark Takes Podcast Summary

Episode: Will SNAP's Collapse Force a Shutdown Resolution?
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Sam Stein
Guest: Arthur Delaney (HuffPost reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the imminent crisis facing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted over four weeks. Host Sam Stein brings on Arthur Delaney, a veteran reporter on food assistance issues, to break down the mechanics of SNAP, the political showdowns threatening its continuation, and the real impact on millions of struggling Americans as benefits risk running dry.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Background on SNAP

• What is SNAP?
  • Formerly known as food stamps; a federal food assistance program established after the Great Depression.
  • Now serves about 40 million individuals across 22 million households.
  • Offers around $350/month per household for groceries.

    “It is one of the most responsive, most important economic programs that the federal government runs.” – Arthur Delaney [02:28]

• Cost to the Government:
  • Over $100 billion annually, especially after pandemic-related expansions and a permanent increase enacted by the Biden administration.

2. SNAP and the Shutdown Crisis

• The government shutdown has lasted over four weeks, a record length, leading SNAP to the brink of pausing benefits for the first time ever.
• SNAP has a $5 billion emergency fund, but the Department of Agriculture claims it cannot access these funds for technical and legal reasons.
• Past shutdown (2018–19) saw the Trump administration effectively intervene to avoid a SNAP lapse, albeit through administratively risky means.

3. Political and Legal Implications

• Democrats are holding out for enhanced Obamacare subsidies before agreeing to pass government funding, contributing to the continuation of the shutdown.
• Legislative efforts:
  • Democrats and some Republicans (e.g., Josh Hawley) have introduced bills to save SNAP independently, but party leadership has not rallied around these measures.
  • Procedural attempts (like unanimous consent in the Senate) have been blocked, with GOP leaders accusing Democrats of just trying to “make the shutdown easier on yourselves.” [John Thune, paraphrased, 06:13]
• Several Democratic state attorneys general have sued the administration to compel use of the SNAP emergency fund, receiving a sympathetic court hearing but pending any ruling as of the recording.

4. Historical Context: 2018 Shutdown

• The Trump administration averted a SNAP crisis by issuing future benefits early, a move later deemed illegal by the Government Accountability Office. They avoided using the contingency fund, which would have been the easier route.

  “They sent the money out several weeks early. It was a real administrative feat… later ruled illegal by the Government Accountability Office.” – Arthur Delaney [08:55]

5. Potential Outcomes and Human Impact

• Millions have already been told not to expect their SNAP benefits starting this weekend.

  “All these people, these 22 million households, have already been told no money for you because of the shutdown... Starting Saturday, millions of people will not receive the deposit on their EBT account.” – Arthur Delaney [12:01]

• The benefit disbursement schedule is staggered but will still leave many without funds if not rapidly resolved.
• Even if courts force the administration to pay SNAP from the emergency fund, significant delays and missed payments are likely.
• The pressure point is growing for both sides of the political standoff, with the risk of benefit lapses sharply felt and highly visible to the public.

6. On-the-Ground Reality

• Delaney emphasizes how this crisis is easily understood by everyday Americans, cuts across political lines, and is widely unpopular.

  “You get money every month for food, it can only be used for food. There's not really that much controversy. This program is popular and it's stopping as a direct result of what people are doing in the U.S. capitol.” – Arthur Delaney [15:08]

• While no immediate starvation is likely, missing benefits cause real hardship and spark significant public anger.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Responsiveness of SNAP:

  “If you're poor or you lose your job, you can quickly sign up for this. It is one of the most responsive, most important economic programs that the federal government runs. And so it has never stopped before. And that's a big deal outcome of a government shutdown...” — Arthur Delaney [02:28]

• On Administrative Excuses:

  “They made this litany of arguments for why they can't do it. But obviously that money's there for a reason, and they could if they wanted to.” — Arthur Delaney [04:58]

• On Political Ironies:

  “Republicans actually spent all year saying this program coddles single adults who play video games all day…everything is kind of mixed up and flipped around and there's a lot of nuance.” — Arthur Delaney [06:13]

• On Public Sentiment:

  “This one really breaks through because it's just not complicated. You get money every month for food…It pisses people off and potentially makes them hungry.” — Arthur Delaney [15:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------|--------------| | Introduction & Arthur’s track record | 00:59–01:37 | | What is SNAP? | 02:28–03:28 | | SNAP’s cost & significance | 03:28–04:39 | | Shutdown’s impact on SNAP | 04:39–06:13 | | Political & legislative wrangling| 06:13–07:25 | | Lessons from the 2018 shutdown | 08:55–09:53 | | Lawsuits & pending court action | 09:53–11:12 | | What happens if SNAP stops? | 12:01–13:04 | | Can payments resume in time? | 13:22–14:29 | | Human impact of benefit loss | 15:08–15:57 |

Final Thoughts

The episode underscores that the SNAP crisis is more than a technical funding dispute—it’s a full-blown human emergency with clear, immediate effects on millions of Americans. The political blame game is in full swing, while those dependent on SNAP face uncertainty and possible hunger as leaders in Washington remain deadlocked.

The hosts encourage listeners to support local food banks in the meantime and urge policymakers to recognize the urgent real-world stakes.