Democratic U.S. Rep. Susie Lee on Tuesday criticized Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo for not doing more to provide substitute benefits to the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who are supposed to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits next month but who won’t because of the government shutdown.

Nevadans who rely on federal food assistance could face benefit delays next month if Congress does not break its budget stalemate, said state officials.

Governor Joe Lombardo said using state funds to support SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown is not a “viable solution.” Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo called on Congress to end the ongoing federal government shutdown in a letter sent to Senator Jacky Rosen.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will expire Saturday for millions of Americans across the nation due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This unprecedented crisis threatens to leave approximately 42 million people — including children,

The State of Nevada plans to quickly funnel $38.8 million toward local food banks in hopes fewer people will go hungry next month when $90 million in federally funded “food stamps” are not delivered to low-income people and families.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the prospect of November's SNAP benefits going unpaid indefinitely is growing closer.