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Two federal judges issued nearly simultaneous rulings on Friday ordering the Trump administration to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing government shutdown. The decisions from courts in Boston and Washington, D.C., block the administration's plan to suspend payments, providing a crucial reprieve for millions of Americans who rely on the aid.
The rulings compel the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use its contingency funds to ensure benefits are distributed for November. In Boston, Judge Patti B. Saris granted a preliminary injunction in a case brought by Massachusetts and other states, stating that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their argument that the government's plan was unlawful. She emphasized the immediate and irreparable harm that halting the program would cause. A similar order was issued in Washington, D.C., by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell, securing food assistance for vulnerable families across the nation.
SNAP provides food aid to nearly 42 million low-income individuals and families, according to the USDA. The Trump administration had argued that without a budget appropriation from Congress, it lacked the authority to continue the payments. However, the judges found that the USDA has access to a multibillion-dollar contingency fund that can be used for such purposes. The court orders require the use of these reserve funds to prevent a lapse in assistance.
Advocates for the poor and state officials praised the decisions, highlighting the catastrophic impact a suspension of benefits would have on food security. The lawsuits argued that cutting off aid would force families to choose between food and other essential needs like housing and medicine. While the court orders provide immediate relief, the long-term funding for SNAP and other federal programs remains uncertain as the government shutdown continues with no clear resolution in sight. The rulings underscore the judiciary's role in interpreting executive power, especially during a federal government shutdown and its direct impact on citizens.
