MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Gov. Bill Lee is telling SNAP customers to expect a lapse in their benefits Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown, which he blamed squarely on Democrats.

Nearly 700,000 Tennesseans — 152,000 of them in Shelby County — rely on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program for food. The program is administered by the state, but funded by the federal government.

“Congress has a responsibility to fund the federal government, and while Democrats continue to hold federal dollars hostage, my administration is working with members of the faith community and nonprofit partners to ensure Tennessee families do not go hungry,” Lee said in a statement. “I share the frustration of hardworking Tennesseans who will be impacted by this temporary lapse, and sincerely hope De

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