Federal Court Upholds Food Aid Decision Amid Government Shutdown

A federal appeals court late Sunday supported a judge’s directive requiring President Donald Trump’s administration to fully fund this month’s food assistance for 42 million low-income Americans, despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The Boston-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit chose not to interfere with a Rhode Island judge’s Thursday ruling that mandated the U.S. Department of Agriculture allocate $4 billion—previously designated for other purposes—to ensure that Americans receive their complete Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

On Friday, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily halted a lower court ruling by U.S. District Judge John McConnell, meaning the First Circuit’s decision does not have an immediate impact.

Her temporary pause will remain effective for 48 hours following the First Circuit’s ruling.

Jackson’s order, combined with earlier court decisions and announcements from the administration and various states involved in the case, leaves the future of the country’s anti-hunger food assistance program in limbo during the shutdown.

On Saturday, the Department of Agriculture instructed states to “reverse” any actions taken to provide full SNAP benefits prior to Jackson’s order, warning of potential financial repercussions.

The administration contended before the First Circuit that judges lack the authority to redirect or allocate federal funds, suggesting that McConnell couldn’t compel the USDA to find more money than what was considered available to meet SNAP obligations.

The government placed the blame on Congress for the ongoing crisis, asserting that it is the responsibility of lawmakers to resolve the shutdown.

On Sunday, the Senate moved forward with a proposal aimed at reopening the federal government, which, as of Monday, marks its 41st day of closure.