Federal Judge Rules on SNAP Funding

A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration must fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by Friday. This decision came as a rejection of the administration’s proposal to only partially fund this critical benefit for approximately 42 million low-income Americans.

“People have gone without for far too long,” U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell stated during the court proceedings.

He criticized the Trump administration for failing to comply with previous orders, which mandated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture ensure SNAP funding before it expires on November 1. This situation is especially concerning as it marks the first time in the program’s 60-year history that benefits could be halted.

Two judges have now determined that the Trump administration must continue these vital SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues.

The judge also highlighted that officials did not adequately address known funding issues that could delay SNAP payments for weeks or even months in certain states. He instructed the Department of Agriculture to utilize other emergency funds as necessary.

“As we sit here, SNAP recipients are probably going hungry,” McConnell remarked during the hearing.

In a recent court filing, Trump administration officials indicated that only 65% of the approximately $9 billion needed for November would be funded for the SNAP program. In response, the judge reinforced the order and gave the administration just 24 hours to comply.

McConnell insisted that the evidence points to people going hungry, food pantries being overwhelmed, and significant suffering being caused. “That’s what irreparable damage means here,” he emphasized.

This is breaking news, and further updates are anticipated.