**Governor Janet Mills Discusses State Response to Food Stamp Cuts Amid Federal Government Shutdown**

*BRUNSWICK, Maine* – Gov. Janet Mills is in talks with legislative leaders about potential state-level solutions to help Mainers facing abrupt cuts to food stamp benefits caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments would not be issued in November. This decision has food pantries across the country preparing for a surge in demand as they work to bridge the gap. In Maine alone, SNAP serves approximately 170,000 people, with average monthly benefits of $572 per family.

Speaking to reporters Monday after a housing event in Brunswick, Mills said she is consulting with top lawmakers and other legislators about “any possible alternatives” to the cuts but did not provide specifics.

The Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate also placed blame on President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for the shutdown and its impacts. “The Republicans control the House of Representatives. The Republicans control the U.S. Senate. The Republicans control the White House,” Mills emphasized.

Republicans, in turn, have blamed Senate Democrats for blocking votes on their plan to avert the shutdown.

The governor’s entry into the 2026 Senate race against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins nearly two weeks ago has added a more political tone to her official duties. The shutdown has become a focus of her relatively new campaign, and she is likely to confront many of its repercussions when the Democratic-controlled Legislature returns to Augusta in January.

Sen. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, recently called on the Trump administration to employ emergency measures to protect SNAP benefits in a letter sent last week. She also supports a bill introduced by a fellow Republican that would guarantee the continuation of food stamp benefits during the shutdown.

In a Monday interview with WVOM, Collins continued to blame the shutdown, which began on October 1, on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), whose caucus has rejected Republican bills aimed at keeping the government open. These bills were opposed as Democrats seek to pressure Republicans to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.

“This is needless,” Collins said. “This never should have happened.”

A University of New Hampshire poll released Monday reflects Mainers’ mixed views on the shutdown’s responsibility. Among 1,094 Maine residents surveyed, 64% said the GOP bears a lot or some responsibility, while 63% said the same for Democrats. Additionally, 61% believe President Trump bears a lot or some responsibility.

The duration of the shutdown remains uncertain, but the sudden cut to SNAP benefits is already being seen as one of its most damaging consequences. More than 42 million Americans—roughly 1 in 10 nationwide—receive food assistance through SNAP. In Maine, the program brings in nearly $4 million per month.

Any discussion about using state funds to backfill the lost federal aid could mirror debates over a heating aid bill Mills introduced in late 2022. That bill, which passed after weeks of negotiation, resulted in a $473 million relief package including direct payments to most Mainers.

However, the state’s budget situation is currently more strained than it was last year. Mills faces major shortfalls in MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, which dominated the Legislature’s work last session.

Policymakers might consider drawing from Maine’s nearly full rainy day fund, though both Mills and Republicans have generally opposed making large withdrawals from this reserve.

Speaking alongside House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) after the ribbon-cutting at the new Wilbur’s Woods development in Brunswick, Mills noted she could not access the rainy day fund unilaterally.

“That’s not available to me,” Mills said. “I wish it were, but we’re going to look at any other resources we can find.”

Fecteau and Republican legislative leaders did not immediately offer more details Monday on SNAP-related discussions. However, the speaker acknowledged the issue’s personal impact.

“As a kid whose family relied on food stamps to put food on the table, I know the anxiety that Mainers are feeling about this cruel measure to withhold federal food assistance,” Fecteau said.

*BDN writer Michael Shepherd contributed to this report.*
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/27/politics/state-politics/janet-mills-considers-alternatives-snap-cuts-joam40zk0w/