Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called a special session of the New Mexico Legislature for November 10 to address the extension of state-funded food benefits, as the ongoing federal government shutdown under President Donald Trump continues to impact residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The session is expected to last one day and comes after the governor previously released $30 million in emergency funds on October 1 to provide food assistance following the suspension of SNAP benefits. These funds are projected to run out by Monday, prompting further legislative action.
“We acted fast in October when the Trump administration abandoned New Mexican families, and now the legislature is coming back to finish the job,” said Lujan Grisham. “We are fortunate that several years of economic prosperity and sound fiscal management have enabled us to support New Mexicans in this time of need. However, we will not be able to fund these state supplements forever. Republicans in Congress need to come back to the table to end the longest government shut down in American history and get everyone back to work.”
Secretary Kari Armijo from the New Mexico Health Care Authority emphasized their commitment: “The Health Care Authority administers SNAP benefits for 460,000 New Mexicans, and our responsibility is to ensure that families don’t go hungry waiting for this essential nutrition program to resume. This special session will allow us to continue serving New Mexicans while federal funding for the SNAP program remains uncertain.”
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth expressed legislative support: “No New Mexican should go hungry because of inaction and uncertainty in Washington D.C. Senate Democrats fully support Governor Lujan Grisham’s decision to call this special session. The legislature is ready to step up again to ensure our families have the food assistance they need.”
House Speaker Javier Martínez also commented: “We are not letting New Mexican families go hungry because the Trump administration doesn’t want to fulfill their legal and moral obligation to fully fund the SNAP benefits that children, seniors and veterans across our state rely on. While the federal government shutdown drags on, we are going to keep showing up to work, so we can protect our people from the chaos and cruelty coming out of Washington, D.C.”
While Governor Lujan Grisham attends COP30—the U.N. Climate Change Conference—in Brazil with other U.S. mayors and governors sharing climate solutions internationally (more information at https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/11/03/governor-joins-u-s-delegation-to-climate-conference-in-brazil/), Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales will serve as acting governor during this period.
“My priority as acting governor during this special session is ensuring that no New Mexican family goes hungry,” said Morales. “I’m proud to work with our legislative leaders to make sure children and seniors have food on their tables while this federal crisis continues.”
During an earlier special session on October 1, measures were approved including $16.6 million for continued food assistance, $8 million for local emergency food distribution, $2 million for student meals, $1.5 million toward meeting SNAP work requirements, and $1.2 million for retaining SNAP staff at UNM and NMSU.
The Legislature will meet at noon on November 10 at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.
