With the longest government shutdown in history in the rearview, lawmakers are now cautiously watching January as another potential shutdown looms. But experts say Oklahomans won’t be impacted in the same way.
Eric Barr, an analyst for the nonpartisan policy organization Metriarch, joined State Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, and Tulsa City Councilor Laura Bellis at a town hall Nov. 17 to discuss food insecurity.
Barr said even if the federal government shuts down again in January, funding for food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants and Children is secure through September 2026, which should prevent any immediate disruptions to benefits.
McCane said she has not received any calls or emails from constituents about concerns over a shutdown or pause in SNAP benefits. She emphasized that while these issues clearly affect her district, lawmakers often don’t hear from residents unless they reach out directly.
According to The Frontier, one in six Oklahomans relied on SNAP in 2024, and 42% of recipients were members of working families.
Barr ended the discussion by encouraging attendees to support local food banks and volunteer with organizations working on hunger relief.
This story was informed by Lizz West’s Documenter notes from the Nov. 17 Joint Town Hall meeting. If you’re interested in becoming a Documenter, visit us at tulsaflyer.org/documenters.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
