Effects of the pause will be especially widespread in Texas, which has the highest population of food insecure people in the country.

Democrats argue Gov. Abbott has used his authority during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting and border operations to free up emergency funds.

The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.

The Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to act now in using the state's Rainy Day Fund to provide funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the government shutdown may cause those 3.

Texans are voting on 17 constitutional amendments next week that could reshape both personal finances and the state’s business climate. The measures include changes to property tax exemptions, retirement savings and infrastructure investment — plus one that could help boost a Texas-based stock exchange.

"We've never in the 18 years of Minnie's Food Pantry being here, in the 31 million meals we've served, had to turn away a person," Chery Jackson said. "Am I concerned about it today? Absolutely."