State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently submitted a letter to Governor Brian Kemp urging immediate emergency state funding to protect Georgia families facing food insecurity and healthcare disruption during the federal government shutdown.

“Georgia cannot stand by while our families starve and our hospitals struggle,” said Rep. Davis, who serves on the House Health and Defense & Veterans Affairs committees. “We are urging Governor Kemp to use a fraction of our state’s nearly $15 billion surplus to ensure no child or senior is left hungry during the holidays.”

“Many Georgians live one paycheck away from crisis,” said Rep. Scott. “When SNAP and Medicaid stop, families lose food, medicine and stability. We cannot allow partisan gridlock in Washington to punish Georgia’s most vulnerable.”

“This is not just a budget issue; it’s a moral test,” added Rep. Schofield. “When the federal government fails, states must step up. Food and healthcare are not luxuries – they are basic human rights.”

The legislators state that over one million Georgians, including children, seniors and veterans, could lose access to November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments due to halted federal operations. They also state that these benefits, typically distributed between November 5 and 23, will be delayed until the government shutdown ends. The lawmakers express concern that the lapse could create a holiday hunger crisis and leave families without food as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.

The lawmakers also express concern that the shutdown could place Medicaid recipients and rural hospitals at risk and that delays in federal reimbursements could threaten to destabilize healthcare facilities, particularly those serving low-income and medically underserved populations.

In their letter, the legislators call on the governor to do the following:

• Authorize emergency bridge funding to supplement SNAP and Medicaid until federal programs resume;
• Direct the Department of Human Services and the Department of Community Health to establish emergency relief protocols;
• Create a “Georgia Food Security Relief Fund” to support local food banks and community programs overwhelmed by demand.

The lawmakers state that with Georgia’s record surplus and existing infrastructure for emergency assistance, state-level action could prevent hunger, stabilize healthcare access and demonstrate bipartisan leadership during a crisis.

“Georgia’s moral strength will be measured not by our surplus, but by our compassion,” concluded Rep. Davis. “Now is the time for courage and care.”

To view the lawmakers’ letter to Governor Kemp, please click here.