Trump administration faces Monday deadline to respond to judge's SNAP order

The Trump administration faces a Monday deadline to respond to a federal judge's order regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds. U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled that the Agriculture Department must disburse SNAP funds by the end of Monday or a partial payment by Wednesday, stating that congressionally approved contingency funds are available for use during the government shutdown. This order comes as the shutdown, potentially the longest in U.S. history, threatens to disrupt November SNAP benefits for tens of millions of recipients. The administration had previously argued that contingency funds were not legally available for regular benefits, reserving them for emergencies like natural disasters. However, Judge McConnell's order cited guidance indicating these funds are accessible if SNAP benefits lapse due to a shutdown. The judge ordered the administration to report by Monday noon on its plan to comply with the ruling. This legal development follows a separate case where U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani indicated that plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claim that suspending SNAP benefits... download the app to read more