Louisiana Senate adopts resolution urging Congress to end shutdown and reimburse state for SNAP backfill

The Louisiana Senate on an unspecified date adopted Senate Resolution No. 1, a memorial to the United States Congress asking it to take immediate action to end the federal government shutdown and to approve temporary funding — and to reimburse the state if Louisiana uses state funds to maintain federal programs such as SNAP. The resolution passed by recorded vote, 29–9.

Senator Cathy presented the resolution on the floor, saying it memorializes Congress to adopt the continuing resolution passed by the U.S. House and to provide reimbursement for any state-funded backfill. She and supporters noted a 2014 precedent cited by Senator Stein for federal reimbursement to states that temporarily covered benefits.

The Senate briefly stood at ease while members verified the resolution posted online and read its text before debate and a vote. During floor debate, Senator Jackson Andrews said he supported reimbursement to the state but cautioned against language that would bind congressional negotiators to a specific bill version or instruct members of Congress how to vote. "I am not privy to the total negotiations that are going on in Washington," he said, urging careful drafting.

Senator Cathy moved for adoption after remarks and the machine vote recorded 29 yays and 9 nays. The resolution expresses the Senate's request to Congress to end the shutdown, pass temporary funding and reimburse Louisiana for any state resources used while federal funding is interrupted.

The adopted resolution is a formal expression of the Senate’s position to federal representatives and does not itself appropriate funds or compel congressional action. Senators said they preferred congressional resolution of the shutdown but adopted SR 1 to seek reimbursement if Louisiana moves to cover shortfalls.