Supreme Court blocks lower court order forcing Trump administration to fully fund SNAP program
In a significant decision that may affect the more than 42 million Americans who depend on food assistance, a federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November.
Millions of people are unsure of their next meal as a result of the decision, which comes as the country continues to experience the longest government shutdown in American history.
Prior to this announcement, the Trump administration had stated that it could only use almost $5 billion from an emergency reserve fund to partially fund the SNAP program through November. However, the court decided that this was not enough and that full payments must be made by Friday. The administration has already stated that it intends to challenge the decision.
Reporting from the White House, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins said the judge’s ruling was a direct criticism of the administration’s SNAP funding practices. Despite a prior court order requiring partial payments, President Trump seemed to downplay the urgency of the situation in remarks he made on Truth Social earlier this week, according to the ruling. In his ruling, the judge cited those comments, implying that they showed disrespect for the previous decision.
Judge McConnell cautioned in the court’s ruling that if full SNAP payments were not made right away, millions of Americans—including the elderly and disabled—may go hungry. The judge wrote, “The government cannot allow citizens to be denied basic nutrition assistance because of political disputes.”
White House officials have yet to confirm whether full payments will be made by the court’s deadline, despite the urgency. As the administration gets ready to file its appeal, the Office of Management and Budget has also kept quiet.
In an interview with CNN’s The Lead, Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas defended the administration’s actions. Marshall stated, “Republicans want to get the SNAP benefits out.” Democrats have been given thirteen opportunities to vote in favor of funding, but they continue to do so. The judge ordered the administration to use emergency funds intended for disasters, which they will do. However, we still need to choose between school lunches, infant formula, and the troops.
Marshall maintained that congressional Democrats are the true cause of the issue since they have not cooperated in reopening the government.
The effects of the shutdown on the economy are becoming increasingly apparent. claimed that prices are “way down,” that gas prices have decreased, and that groceries are getting better, with the exception of beef, which he stated “will come down soon.” Food prices are still high, and inflation is still a problem for families nationwide.
Government statistics, however, paint a different picture. The cost of groceries has increased in almost every category, and inflation is still at its highest level since Trump took office. In comparison to the previous year, American households are spending roughly $200 more per month on the same goods and services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Senator Marshall admitted that there is “still work to do” when asked if Trump’s remarks accurately reflect how Americans are actually feeling about the economy. While acknowledging that housing and healthcare costs continue to be significant concerns, he cited declining fuel prices and wage growth as indicators of progress.
With no apparent end in sight, the shutdown has now extended into record territory. Federal employees and families who depend on government programs like SNAP are growing increasingly frustrated as negotiations on Capitol Hill have stalled.
The administration is under additional pressure to move swiftly as a result of Judge McConnell’s decision. The court made it apparent that millions of people who rely on monthly food assistance could suffer terrible repercussions if they don’t comply.