U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan, who has represented Florida’s 16th district in Congress since 2007, recently toured the Food Bank of Manatee and attended an emergency food distribution event at Dream Church in Bradenton. During his visit, Buchanan addressed the impact of the ongoing government shutdown on recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and assisted with food delivery to local residents.
Buchanan expressed support for the No Budget, No Pay Act, which would prevent members of Congress from receiving pay during government shutdowns. He also pledged to donate his most recent paycheck to the Food Bank of Manatee. “One way we resolve this is if members aren’t producing and they aren’t getting a budget, we make sure they don’t get paid. In fact, I’m willing to take my pay and make that a part of that commitment. I’ll give my pay from the last month, basically, to the Food Bank here,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan highlighted the role local organizations play during periods when federal assistance is delayed: “With SNAP benefits delayed, our local food banks are picking up the slack,” he said. “I am so grateful that organizations like the Food Bank of Manatee exist to support our community, but they cannot shoulder this burden alone. Nearly 3 million people across Florida and 40,000 people right here in Manatee County rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table.”
He also discussed legislative efforts aimed at ending the shutdown: “I joined House Republicans to pass a clean, responsible funding bill to keep the government open. Our bill ensured that SNAP benefits would have been paid on time. However, due to Congressional Democrats’ refusal to pass Republicans’ clean funding bill, 40,000 people in our community are at risk of going hungry. This shutdown will end when Democrats put party labels aside and work with us to reopen the government. I hope that my Democrat colleagues come to the table, do their job and help us get our communities the support they desperately need,” Buchanan stated.
Maribeth Phillips, President and CEO of The Food Bank of Manatee and Meals on Wheels PLUS, acknowledged Buchanan’s involvement: “We are truly grateful for Congressman Buchanan’s support of yesterday’s critical food distribution,” she said. “Congressman Buchanan’s participation brings a spotlight on food insecurity in Manatee and the importance of our programs, especially now with SNAP benefits paused affecting thousands in Manatee County, including babies, children, families and seniors.”
According to estimates provided by organizers:
– Approximately 40,000 residents in Manatee County depend on SNAP benefits.
– Over 2.9 million Floridians enrolled in SNAP could lose access if the shutdown continues.
– Nearly 155,000 federal workers in Florida have been furloughed or are working without pay.
– The state economy could lose about $911 million each week during an extended shutdown.
Buchanan was born in Detroit in 1951 and currently resides in Sarasota. He graduated from Cleary University with a BA in 1975 and later earned another degree from University of Detroit Mercy.
More information about Vern Buchanan’s background can be found here.
