WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds asked U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to authorize the Commonwealth’s Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) to use unspent prior-year federal funds so monthly food benefits can continue during the ongoing federal government shutdown. In an Oct. 28 letter, King-Hinds said allowing CNMI NAP to carry forward legally available balances would keep benefits flowing through the EBT system “without interruption until these funds are expended.”
King-Hinds noted that USDA contingency funds that sometimes support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cannot be used for regular monthly SNAP benefits during a shutdown. She emphasized that CNMI NAP is a separate, capped-block-grant program established under Public Law 96-597 §601(c) and administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, and is not requesting contingency funds or transfers from other programs—only permission to use CNMI’s remaining prior-year balances.
The congresswoman said the CNMI has relied on $5.7 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to stabilize finances, but the suspension of NAP benefits forced the Commonwealth to allocate about $3.9 million in local funds to prevent families from going without assistance. She wrote that drawing down local funds offsets the intended impact of federal relief and underscores the urgency of USDA approval.
Describing ongoing economic strain—accelerated business closures, high unemployment, and constrained government services—King-Hinds said CNMI residents are especially vulnerable to the loss of critical programs. She asked USDA to act so benefits continue for roughly 5,500 households and 14,000 individuals who rely on NAP each month.
The letter was copied to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and House Legislative Affairs officials.
