RELEASE: Hours Before Cut-off, Rep. Friedman & Project Angel Food Work to Protect SNAP Recipients
SNAP stops for 1.5 million Angelenos at midnight on Halloween night
LOS ANGELES, CA – today, Friday, October 31, 2025, just hours after a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to release emergency food assistance funds, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) demanded immediate compliance and condemned the administration’s refusal to commit to the ruling. When asked earlier in the day whether the USDA would follow the court’s order, Secretary Brooke Rollins responded, “We’re looking at all the options.” Friedman called on the administration to stop stalling and release the benefits millions of Americans rely on.
Standing alongside Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub, Friedman warned that if SNAP is halted at midnight tonight, more than 1.5 million people in Los Angeles County, including 115,200 residents of CA-30, could go without critical nutritional support.
“There is no excuse for the Trump Administration to defy a court order and deny food assistance to millions of Americans. SNAP shouldn’t be a political bargaining chip, it’s how many families in my district survive. The Trump Administration must release the funds today, no more delays, no more excuses,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “Meanwhile, I’ll continue working to bring Congressional Republicans to the negotiating table. We must work to protect affordable healthcare, end this shutdown and bring down costs for the American people.”
The ruling, issued by a federal judge in Boston, directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use its contingency reserve to fund November SNAP benefits. Yet, the administration has not confirmed whether it will comply, leaving more than 42 million Americans in limbo.
ACTIONS ANNOUNCED FROM FRIEDMAN AND PROJECT ANGEL FOOD:
From Congresswoman Laura Friedman:
- Called on the USDA and Trump to immediately release SNAP funds so that millions of Americans get the support they need.
- Signed joint letter with over 200 House Democrats urging immediate USDA action.
- Called for Republicans to come back to D.C. and negotiate, ensuring the government reopens quickly while protecting SNAP and affordable healthcare
From Project Angel Food:
- Launched emergency planning to support seriously clients facing food insecurity by distributing $100 gift cards to for those on who will not be receiving SNAP benefits.
IMPACT TO CALIFORNIANS:
- 115,200 CA-30 residents rely on SNAP for food assistance
- 1.5 million people in Los Angeles County are enrolled in CalFresh (SNAP)
- 5.5 million Californians depend on SNAP statewide
- SNAP serves 42 million Americans, including:
Today’s announcement follows a series of events Friedman has held across Los Angeles to highlight the real consequences of the Republican-led government shutdown. On October 3, Friedman stood with patients and nurses at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center to protest ACA tax credit cuts that will make healthcare more expensive and threaten hospital operations. On October 20, she convened a roundtable with Covered California and Saban Community Clinic, warning that 47,000 constituents could face premium hikes up to 300% and 28,000 risk losing coverage entirely if ACA tax credits and Medicaid funding are not renewed. On October 25, she joined Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz for a virtual town hall urging Congress to extend ACA tax credits support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Below: Friedman with Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub.
Below: Friedman with Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub and volunteers.