Governor Faces Backlash For Wasteful Spending Amid Federal Benefit Cutoff
Monday, October 27, 2025, 8:10 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- Governor Phil Murphy lashed out at the Trump administration on Saturday, accusing it of “turning its back on struggling families” after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it would not tap into its emergency contingency fund to keep state benefits flowing. Murphy said the refusal “threatens food security and stability,” claiming the administration could act “with the stroke of a pen.”
According to the USDA, without federal reimbursement, over 800,000 New Jerseyans will lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when funding ceases on Friday night, October 31, 2025. The USDA’s $5 billion contingency fund will remain untouched, and the agency has informed states that if they front their own funds to cover benefits, they will not be reimbursed.
Democratic Gridlock In Washington;
Murphy’s outrage over federal inaction comes as his own party continues to block a resolution that could have prevented the crisis. In Washington, Senate Democrats, including New Jersey’s Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have repeatedly voted against the U.S. House’s Clean Continuing Resolution, which would have kept the federal government open through November 21, 2025, and ensured SNAP and other benefits continued uninterrupted.
Republicans argue that Democrats’ obstructionism has turned the USDA impasse into a self-inflicted wound. “You can’t demand action while your own party shuts down the process,” one Senate aide remarked Saturday.
Fiscal Hypocrisy In Trenton;
While Murphy blames Washington, his administration has faced escalating criticism at home over lavish, mismanaged spending and misplaced priorities. Under his leadership, New Jersey has directed tens of millions in taxpayer funds to programs aiding undocumented immigrants, including $87.8 million in 2024 for individuals without Social Security numbers, even as veterans’ homes reported shortages in staffing and supplies.
A 2023 budget review also found the Murphy administration had diverted more than $120 million in discretionary aid toward noncitizen assistance and politically favored programs, leaving essential services strained.
Failed Green Dreams;
Murphy’s much-publicized clean energy agenda has also faltered. Two flagship offshore wind projects collapsed earlier this year after developers withdrew, citing unmanageable costs and financing gaps. The state subsequently announced it would halt all new offshore wind awards, a stunning reversal of Murphy’s long-promised “green revolution.”
Critics say the failed ventures underscore a broader pattern of financial recklessness. “Murphy condemns federal neglect while wasting billions on broken promises,” said a senior New Jersey fiscal watchdog. “His administration spends like there’s no tomorrow, even when tomorrow’s programs can’t be funded.”
The Stakes Ahead;
As the October 31 benefit deadline looms, hundreds of thousands of New Jersey families stand to lose critical food assistance, a crisis worsened by Washington gridlock and Trenton mismanagement alike. While Murphy rails against the Trump administration, many residents are asking whether his own house is in order.
Editor’s Note:
This article presents a fact-based account of Governor Phil Murphy’s criticism of the Trump administration’s decision not to activate the USDA’s emergency contingency fund and the resulting loss of SNAP benefits for over 800,000 New Jerseyans. It also details Senate Democrats’ continued opposition to the clean Continuing Resolution, including votes by Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, and reviews the Murphy administration’s spending record and failed state initiatives.
