(MENAFN) US Senate Republicans on Monday prevented a Democratic initiative to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after the program’s reserves ran out amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 34th day.

Over the weekend, roughly 42 million Americans missed SNAP benefits, prompting Sen. Jeff Merkley and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with 44 Senate Democrats, to call for President Donald Trump to immediately release federal funds to prevent widespread hunger.

Republicans opposed the measure, with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso stating, "If Democrats really wanted to help struggling families, they’d stop blocking a clean continuing resolution."

Following the vote, Merkley accused the administration of jeopardizing vulnerable Americans for political purposes. "President Trump has a new MAHA strategy—the ‘Make America Hungry Agenda’—using food as a weapon to inflict harm on vulnerable kids, seniors and families across America. It’s wrong on every level," he said.

Merkley cited prior statements from the Trump administration indicating the president had authority to fund SNAP through emergency contingency funds but said the guidance was later removed from the Department of Agriculture’s website. "Rather than follow the law, Trump decided to use America’s most vulnerable families as political pawns and removed the policy from the Agriculture Department’s website. Children, seniors and vulnerable families are not bargaining chips—they are Americans who rely on this critical program," he added.

He warned that the administration plans to provide only half of November’s benefits, with payments potentially delayed for weeks or months. "This is outrageous—the president needs to use both the full authority of the contingency funds and the interchange authority to fully fund SNAP benefits for November so families and kids don’t starve," Merkley said.

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