WASHINGTON (Reuters) -More than 200 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives told the Agriculture Department on Friday it should draw on its emergency reserves to fund November food benefits, which are compromised by the ongoing federal shutdown. 

States warned this week that tens of millions of Americans could see a gap in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps, if the shutdown continues through the end of the month.

In the letter, first reported by Reuters, 211 Representatives said the USDA should fund November benefits using its $5 billion contingency reserve, which would pay for a portion of SNAP's monthly cost, and use other authorities at its disposal to supplement those funds. 

"There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November," said the letter, led by House Agriculture Committee members Jahana Hayes and Angie Craig. Craig is the top Democrat on the committee.

"Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people," the letter said.

A group representing mayors of more than 1,000 U.S. cities on Thursday also urged the USDA to use emergency funds to pay for the SNAP benefits.

The USDA has said the risk to food aid is "an inflection point for Senate Democrats." Democrats have withheld votes on a spending bill as part of an effort to keep healthcare costs down for many Americans. Democrats and Republicans have traded blame for the shutdown. 

The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

More than 41 million people receive SNAP benefits. Another nearly 7 million who receive aid from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, also face a benefit cliff in November.

The U.S. has seen a multi-year rise in hunger rates. The administration of President Donald Trump has cut some federal funding for food banks and hiked SNAP work requirements in Trump's July tax-cut and spending bill. 

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)