Crystal Fitzsimons

It does make me nervous that this could be used as a negotiating tactic again.

Jacqueline Giamona and her two kids rely on SNAP for nearly all their groceries, and the past two weeks without it were tough.

She says depriving low-income people of a necessity like food was an abuse of power.

Advocate Crystal Fitzsimons with the Food Research and Action Center would like Congress to prevent a repeat.

She and others do see one positive.

They say all the attention has shown just how vital SNAP is for so many people.

Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.