In a post on X, Youngkin noted that the State of Emergency was “an extraordinary action” and was “only necessary because of the shamelessness of Congressional Democrats” who continue to refuse to pass a “clean continuing resolution” to re-open the federal government.
“The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025,” Youngkin wrote. “I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need.”
Youngkin continued to call on Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) to “end this nonsense and vote to pass a clean CR.”
The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025. I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect…
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) October 23, 2025