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Yesterday, over 40 million Americans were at risk of waking up to find that their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) accounts were empty. This includes over 900,000 Arizonans 鈥� that鈥檚 1 in 8 residents 鈥� who live near or below the poverty line. These folks, who rely on the nation鈥檚 largest anti-hunger program to purchase food, were just hours away from becoming the latest casualty of Congress鈥檚 inability to negotiate a federal funding bill.

In this funding battle, Democrats demand continued healthcare subsidies for the 24 million people insured through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Across the aisle, Republicans insist that Congress pass a bill now and deal with the ACA later. At an impasse, and with the government shutdown dragging into a second month, Republicans have ramped up pressure on Democrats to pass the GOP鈥檚 version of the bill. This includes threatening to let critical government programs like SNAP expire and blaming it on their rival party. The USDA could use its Congressionally approved contingency fund to continue SNAP payments, but the agency has refused to do so voluntarily. In response, on Friday two judges issued emergency rulings that order the Trump administration to continue funding SNAP during the shutdown.

It鈥檚 not hard for me to imagine how those affected might be feeling. That鈥檚 because for a period of time, when my children were young, our family received SNAP benefits. Like millions of American parents, my husband and I quickly realized that the exorbitant cost of daycare for multiple children would eat up most of my paycheck. After careful deliberation, we decided to cut our expenses to the bone so I could stay home with our little ones for a few years. We budgeted and calculated, scrimped and saved, but our reserves were dwindling rapidly.

Then one day, we received a letter saying that we were eligible for SNAP benefits. Although my husband worked full-time as a teacher, the letter clearly showed that our one-salary income placed us below the poverty line. My first response was surprise: I didn鈥檛 yet know that working families like ours made up more than 40% of SNAP recipients. But that feeling soon turned to relief. This modest, temporary financial boost helped our young family make ends meet until I returned to work. Even more importantly, it provided a peace of mind that was priceless.

Having experienced the benefits of SNAP first-hand, it鈥檚 infuriating to watch the government carelessly toy with this program. For one thing, using SNAP recipients as a political pawn is immoral. Sixty-eight percent of Arizona SNAP beneficiaries come from households with children, and 29% are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled. These aren鈥檛 millionaires vying for bonus checks. They are parents wondering how they鈥檒l purchase groceries this month and students asking school staff to connect them with chronically underfunded food pantries.

In addition to being immoral, withholding programs like SNAP is illogical. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP 鈥減lays a critical role in reducing poverty, improving health and economic outcomes, supporting people who are paid low wages, and serving as the first line of defense against hunger during economic downturns.鈥� Denying families these funds 鈥� even temporarily 鈥� can cause financial setbacks that plunge them even deeper into economic insecurity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also notes that in a weak economy, $1 in SNAP benefits creates $1.50 worth of economic activity. When the government plays politics with SNAP, community members and businesses alike suffer.

Above all, the actions that prompted this debacle to begin with are simply indefensible. With healthcare costs already sky-high, Democrats are trying to protect Americans鈥� healthcare premiums from rising. If they don鈥檛 succeed, the Center for American Progress estimates ACA enrollees who currently receive financial assistance will see premium increases of 136% nationally and over 300% in some states where enhanced tax credits will expire. Is this what it鈥檚 come to? Republicans blocking Americans鈥� access to food in order to force colleagues to raise our healthcare costs? The concept would almost be laughable if it weren鈥檛 true. It鈥檚 time to stop the nonsense. Tell your Republican representatives to support ongoing ACA subsidies. Demand that they continue funding SNAP for our most vulnerable citizens. Cut through the partisan rhetoric and support your neighbor鈥檚 basic human rights. It really is that simple.