Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that he will deploy the California National Guard and state volunteers on a humanitarian mission to food banks in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“Trump’s failure isn’t abstract – it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths. This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action. Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps,” Newsom said in a statement.
The National Guard will not be acting as law enforcement; instead, it will be supporting food banks, according to the governor’s office. The National Guard held a similar role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsom also announced that he is fast-tracking upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays.
The federal government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, is quickly approaching the second-longest on record with no end in sight.
Some lawmakers are predicting it could become the longest, surpassing the 35 days from President Donald Trump’s first term, according to the Associated Press.
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