As Nevadans Face SNAP Cutoff, Rosen Tells Lombardo to Look to His Own Party

NEVADA - Recently, Governor Joe Lombardo sent a letter to Senator Jacky Rosen urging Congress to end the federal government shutdown. Lombardo’s concern grows as we approach the end of October, when over 400,000 Nevadans will stop receiving SNAP benefits for November if the government remains shut down. Senator Rosen fired back today, insisting that Governor Lombardo push his party, which currently controls all branches of the federal government, to get to work on ending the shutdown and preventing a significant increase in healthcare costs due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits expiring at the end of this year. Rosen has repeatedly voted in favor of legislation to reopen the government, but has also contended that the ACA tax credits must be extended to avoid a health care crisis.

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“Governor Lombardo is severely mistaken if he thinks Senator Rosen can end the shutdown on her own. His party controls the White House and Congress, yet Republican leaders like Speaker Johnson and President Trump refuse to extend the ACA subsidies millions rely on to afford health coverage. Without those subsidies, families will lose insurance or face crushing bills. While Nevadans brace for these higher costs thanks to his own party in Washington, Lombardo is busy preparing to waste more taxpayer dollars on a special session to give a corporate handout for Hollywood studios. Senator Rosen understands what’s at stake—she’s holding the line for Nevada families and their access to health care. Once again, Governor Lombardo misses the mark.”

Leo Murrieta, Director of Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Yet again, Governor Lombardo just doesn’t seem to get it. While Nevadans are facing a potential healthcare premium catastrophe if Republicans don’t extend healthcare subsidies, our Governor decides this is the time to play politics rather than do anything productive. Rather than writing the leaders of his own political party to urge them to spare countless Nevadans and millions of Americans the agony of not being able to afford life-saving medical care, Governor Lombardo refuses to be the leader Nevadans need. Seems like the only thing he’s good at is doling out corporate welfare checks and vetoing legislation that could actually help Nevadans, we deserve better. It is encouraging to see Senator Rosen holding the line for Nevadans on this one.”

Laura Martin, Executive Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund, issued the following statement:

“Governor Lombardo’s desperate attempt to blame the shutdown on Senator Rosen is a masterclass in vapid, feckless leadership. Instead of standing up for Nevada families who will bear the brunt of a shutdown, Lombardo is playing political games and parroting MAGA talking points.

While Rosen is working to keep the government open and protect paychecks, small businesses, and vital services, Lombardo is doing what he does best: pointing fingers and refusing to lead. Nevadans deserve a Governor who will fight for working people, not one who hides behind partisan spin while livelihoods are on the line.”

William Moore, Civic Engagement Director of Mi Familia Vota, issued the following statement:

"Latinos are suffering from the rising costs associated with the MAGA economy, which is making hard-working Nevadans suffer. Now they are about to make things worse. Because of the reckless MAGA shutdown, at the end of October, many Latino families in Nevada will lose critical food assistance programs, and their health care prices are about to go up exponentially, all so Republicans can help billionaires pay less in taxes. Now Joe Lombardo is trying to protect his MAGA buddies at the expense of Nevadan Latinos. That is not right. We at Mi Familia Vota will fight to educate our community on exactly who is to blame for this shutdown and the loss of food assistance and health care."

Kaylyn Kardavani, Executive Director of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Real leadership means fighting for the safety, security, and health of all Nevadans. Governor Lombardo’s disconnect from the real affordability and health care concerns facing our state is a huge contrast to the leadership shown by Senator Rosen in demanding a better future for us all as she stands up to corporate interests during the government shutdown.

Governor Lombardo is championing corporate welfare —plotting a special session not to protect Nevadans’ healthcare, but to give billion-dollar handouts to Hollywood executives, to privatize our police for gaming interests, and to give healthcare carve-outs to insurance companies. Shame on Governor Lombardo for putting corporations first.”

ABOUT ACA ENHANCED PREMIUM TAX CREDITS: Enhanced premium tax credits were introduced through the Inflation Reduction Act in 2021. They were designed to lower premium costs and expand access by increasing eligibility to people with incomes above 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. If the tax credits expire at the end of this year, it is estimated that over 24 million people will pay twice as much out of pocket. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) estimates that the average premium cost would increase by 114% from $888 to $1,904 if the subsidies expire. Currently, over 110,000 Nevadans are enrolled in marketplace coverage, and around 95,000 Nevadans receive the enhanced premium tax credit, according to KFF. It is estimated that more than 24,000 Nevadans will lose health coverage by 2034 if the tax credits expire.

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