A&B Human Services Subcommittee

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, has been named as chair of the Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations Committee for the Council of State Governments (CSG) South.  Pae officially assumed the role during the organization's 79th Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), held this week in Lexington, Kentucky. He has served as vice chair of the committee for the past four years.  "I am honored by the confidence my legislative colleagues across the South have placed in me," Pae said. "As vice chair, I've had the opportunity to work alongside outstanding legislative leaders from across the region. I'm excited to build on that foundation and continue fostering productive discussions that benefit not only our member states but also the people we serve."  CSG South’s Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee focuses on a broad range of issues impacting state budgets and finances, such as the impact of the federal budget on state finances, state revenues and expenditures, and national and regional economic outlooks. The Southern Legislative Conference is the largest of The Council of State Governments' four regional conferences, bringing together legislators and legislative staff from 15 southern states to exchange ideas and collaborate on public policy issues.  Pae serves House District 62 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he represents west Lawton. He currently serves as chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Human Services Subcommittee and as vice chair of the House Children, Youth and Family Services Committee.

Reps. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, who lead the Oklahoma House Appropriations & Budget Human Services Subcommittee, released the following statements after Congress passed a bipartisan agreement late Wednesday to reopen the federal government and restore funding to critical programs: "We’re relieved to see the federal government reopened and critical services fully restored," Pae said. "Throughout the shutdown, we have closely monitored its impact on SNAP recipients and local food providers across Oklahoma. This agreement allows us to move forward with implementing the SNAP provisions of H.R. 1, which eases access for families in need."  Gise added, "The shutdown was a gut punch for working families, and Oklahomans deserve better than D.C. drama that gambles with their groceries. Now it’s time to restore trust, improve SNAP accountability and keep families fed instead of forgotten."  House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said, "The end of this shutdown is long overdue. Oklahomans shouldn’t have to bear the cost of Washington gridlock caused by Democrats’ refusal to advance responsible funding bills. Now, the focus must return to governance that keeps our economy strong, holds programs accountable and puts working families first." The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to working with state and federal partners to ensure a smooth rollout of the SNAP updates under H.R. 1 and to maintain consistent communication with state agencies and recipients moving forward.

Reps. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, today provided an update on the potential distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. Federal officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have notified states that, without congressional action to approve additional funding, SNAP benefits could be delayed or reduced beginning November 1st. Pae and Gise, who lead the House Human Services Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee, said they have been in constant contact with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), who is working closely with federal partners to ensure Oklahomans who rely on SNAP are informed and supported. As of May 2025, Oklahoma has 696,842 active SNAP participants. "We understand how critical SNAP benefits are for Oklahoma families, seniors and children," Pae said. "No family should have to worry about putting food on the table because of uncertainty in Washington. The House is committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure Oklahoma families have the support they need." Gise added, "So many Oklahoma families are already doing everything they can to stretch each dollar, and the threat of losing access to food assistance is deeply unsettling. While we continue to push for solutions at the state and federal level, we also know the strength of our communities lies in how we show up for one another. If you’re in a position to give or volunteer, reach out to your local food banks and community organizations. This is a time that calls for compassion and unity, not politics." On Tuesday, Pae and Gise co-hosted an interim study at the State Capitol examining the effectiveness and future of SNAP in Oklahoma, focusing on ways to reduce the state’s payment error rate and fraud. The study brought together state agencies, food security advocates and policy experts to discuss how to strengthen access to nutrition assistance and improve outcomes for families across the state. "It’s deeply frustrating that gridlock in Washington, driven by Senator Chuck Schumer and the majority of Senate Democrats’ unwillingness to act, is putting critical programs like SNAP at risk," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Oklahoma families shouldn’t have to pay the price for partisan inaction. The Oklahoma House remains focused on protecting our citizens and ensuring families, seniors and children have access to the support they need, regardless of what happens in D.C."  As more information becomes available, OKDHS will provide updates regarding the effects of the government shutdown on SNAP benefits at oklahoma.gov/okdhs/shutdown .