During our nation’s recent government shutdown, over 170,000 Mainers were at risk of losing SNAP funds to put food on their tables. Not only were they close to losing needed food, they also struggled emotionally and mentally about how to feed their families, including children.

During this looming food crisis, several Maine lawmakers and advocates called for a special session to be held in Augusta to address the gap caused by pausing SNAP funds. State Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Kennebec, called on Gov. Mills and Democratic leaders to use their authority to convene a special session to cover the estimated $29 million monthly gap.

Asked whether they would work with their colleagues to convene a special session, Maine’s GOP leaders said Maine’s congressional Democrats should support the Republican stopgap spending plan and end the government shutdown. My father taught me, “When you point a finger at someone else, three fingers point back at you.” 

State Sen. Trey Stewart, R-Aroostook, said, “Wouldn’t it make more sense for her (Mills) to just ask Sen. Schumer to end this nonsense and reopen the federal government by extending Biden’s budget, rather than spending state resources through a special session?”

With over 170,000 Mainers about to lose food funds, Sen. Stewart refused to meet with Maine Democrats about his neighbors’ food insecurity. And no other GOP leaders agreed to take action in Maine with Democrats about this looming crisis. Where was their compassion? Not on their menu.

Roy Smoot
Kennebunk