Day 34 of the US federal government shutdown has arrived—and hunger relief is at the forefront. Millions of Americans depend on SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to put food on the table. With budgets frozen, the Trump administration is stepping in with a partial fix to keep groceries stocked. 🛒
Emergency Funds Hit the Table 🍏
The US Department of Agriculture filed for $4.65 billion from a contingency fund to cover November SNAP benefits. This amount could fill roughly 50% of eligible households’ benefit allotments, aiming to reduce the impact of the shutdown.
Court Rulings Push Action ⚖️
Two federal judges have weighed in:
- In Rhode Island, a judge ordered the USDA to tap contingency funds to pay SNAP recipients immediately.
- In Massachusetts, a separate judge called the plan to halt benefits “likely unlawful,” though no funding order followed yet.
The Real Impact ❤️🩹
SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, helping nearly 42 million people, many of whom live at or below the federal poverty line. This partial funding move seeks to prevent families from facing empty plates while lawmakers remain gridlocked.
As the shutdown battle continues, this step highlights the power of the courts—and the urgency of finding a lasting solution. Stay tuned as we track the story. ✌️
Reference(s):
Trump admin to partially fund SNAP benefits amid gov't shutdown
cgtn.com
