Democrats who control the state Senate said Wednesday they are exploring the possibility of intervening and attempting to prevent about 1.4 million Michigan residents from losing access to food aid, beginning this weekend, amid the federal government shutdown.

But the lawmakers' efforts, which could include allocating about $250 million to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in the state for a month, face a difficult and uncertain road in the narrowly divided Legislature.

It's unclear whether there would be enough votes to pass a bill in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Plus, Republicans have a majority of the seats in the House, which would also have to support such a measure for it to become law.

On Wednesday, state Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, said he w

See Full Page