Keeping You Informed on NAP Funding
The funding challenges with the Nutrition Assistance Program have been heavy on my mind since the shutdown. This week, I provided an update from our ongoing conversations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program. USDA has confirmed that $150 million in food stamp benefits will be disbursed to the U.S. territories, including the Marianas. This amount is provided to cover roughly half of the benefit for the month of November. While this partial disbursement is welcome news, I continue to pray for and monitor the developments toward a full resolution to the government shutdown so that benefits can be fully restored. Should the shutdown persist, I will continue to advocate for the use of existing NAP funds to provide for the full benefits for the month. Families in the CNMI depend on this support, and every delay matters. I will keep monitoring developments and sharing updates as we receive them.