MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Food assistance benefits for 700,000 Wisconsin residents are set to end Saturday as the federal government shutdown continues with no resolution in sight.

On day 29 of the shutdown, Republican U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden visited the Wisconsin State Capitol. He said states should fund SNAP benefits if the federal government will not.

“I was raised in abject rural poverty,” Van Orden said. “We had to use food stamps.”

Van Orden blamed Democrats for the shutdown.

“Call Tammy Baldwin’s office,” Van Orden Said. “They could start the government up again today.”

A spokesperson for Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin responded, “While Congressman Derrick Van Orden is on day 40 of his paid vacation, Senator Baldwin has been in Washington working with her colleague

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