Trump administration must release billions in SNAP funds, judge says

FreeinChrist · Friday at 11:00 PM

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/31/government-shutdown-food-assistance/

States could get partial payments for the nation’s largest anti-hunger program a few days late, after two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration should use backup funds to keep food aid running despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The Agriculture Department had said last week that it could not use a $5.5 billion contingency fund to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP or food stamps. But a federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the administration to release backup funds for the program, which feeds about 42 million Americans a month and is set to lose funding Saturday. Another federal judge in Massachusetts directed the government to decide by Monday whether it would use the $5.5 billion in contingency funds for food aid.

Despite the rulings, millions of Americans still won’t get food assistance benefits on Saturday because the backup funds were not ordered to be released on time. States and their contractors need a few days’ notice before sending food assistance directly to people who rely on it.

The federal government must now scramble to either ensure that some SNAP funding is made available by Monday or appeal the rulings.

Oompa Loompa · Saturday at 1:06 AM

FreeinChrist said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/31/government-shutdown-food-assistance/

States could get partial payments for the nation’s largest anti-hunger program a few days late, after two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration should use backup funds to keep food aid running despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The Agriculture Department had said last week that it could not use a $5.5 billion contingency fund to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP or food stamps. But a federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the administration to release backup funds for the program, which feeds about 42 million Americans a month and is set to lose funding Saturday. Another federal judge in Massachusetts directed the government to decide by Monday whether it would use the $5.5 billion in contingency funds for food aid.

Despite the rulings, millions of Americans still won’t get food assistance benefits on Saturday because the backup funds were not ordered to be released on time. States and their contractors need a few days’ notice before sending food assistance directly to people who rely on it.

The federal government must now scramble to either ensure that some SNAP funding is made available by Monday or appeal the rulings.

When did a federal judge have more power than Congress?

That Guy 11200 · Saturday at 1:30 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
When did a federal judge have more power than Congress?

When did Christians decide that denying food to the starving is the right thing to do?

Oompa Loompa · Saturday at 1:39 AM

That Guy 11200 said:
When did Christians decide that denying food to the starving is the right thing to do?

What does that have to do with anything? As I last checked, only Congress has the power of the purse. Not some federal judge. Trump does not have the authority to fund programs that can only be funded by Congress. Therefore, this judge is a quack who is ordering Trump to do something that is both unconstitutional and illegal.

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · Saturday at 1:44 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
When did a federal judge have more power than Congress?

When the president and our government is doing the wrong, that's what the court is for.

Oompa Loompa · Saturday at 2:15 AM

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN said:
When the president and our government is doing the wrong, that's what the court is for.

But the president is not doing "the wrong" because only congress has the power of the purse to fund. The judge is practically ordering Trump to expand his executive power to fund a program that only congress can. Essentially, the court is ordering Trump to do something that is both illegal and unconstitutional.

Maria Billingsley · Saturday at 10:05 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
What does that have to do with anything? As I last checked, only Congress has the power of the purse. Not some federal judge. Trump does not have the authority to fund programs that can only be funded by Congress. Therefore, this judge is a quack who is ordering Trump to do something that is both unconstitutional and illegal.

FYI
The court decision to fund SNAP was needed to prevent mass food aid cutoff for 42 million Americans during the government shutdown.
It did not circumvent Congress; rather, judges mandated the administration use a $5 billion contingency fund that Congress had already appropriated for emergencies. The judges ruled the administration's refusal to use this existing fund—claiming it was illegal for a shutdown—was an erroneous and unlawful interpretation of the law.

Key legislative language:

"For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and including for activities authorized by section 18 of such Act, the Annual Appropriation Amount to remain available until expended, of which a contingency amount shall be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations.

rambot · Saturday at 10:15 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
What does that have to do with anything?

What does being a Christian have to do with feeding the poor?

rambot · Saturday at 10:16 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
But the president is not doing "the wrong" because only congress has the power of the purse to fund. The judge is practically ordering Trump to expand his executive power to fund a program that only congress can. Essentially, the court is ordering Trump to do something that is both illegal and unconstitutional.

He could forced his bloc in the Senate to put forward special legislation that would extend funding.

Or they could have supported the Democratic manuever to do the same earlier.

essentialsaltes · Saturday at 10:28 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
When did a federal judge have more power than Congress?

Congress created a SNAP contingency fund. What is that fund for, if not such a contingency as this?

essentialsaltes · Saturday at 10:32 AM

Oompa Loompa said:
Essentially, the court is ordering Trump to do something that is both illegal and unconstitutional.

As has been pointed out, the SNAP law creates a contingency fund.

What you're describing is what Trump is doing to pay the military.

Trump administration says members of the military will get paid Friday despite the government shutdown

About $2.5 billion from the military housing fund part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, enacted this year, will be tapped for Friday's paychecks, according to the OMB official. In addition, $1.4 billion from the Pentagon's research and development account and $1.4 billion from its procurement account will be used, the official said.

Congress appropriated those funds for housing, R&D and procurement, not wages. Everyone knows the rules in a shutdown -- people don't get paid.

dogs4thewin · Saturday at 10:34 AM

That Guy 11200 said:
When did Christians decide that denying food to the starving is the right thing to do?

No where did anyway say Christians could not provide food.

dogs4thewin · Saturday at 10:35 AM

FreeinChrist said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/31/government-shutdown-food-assistance/

States could get partial payments for the nation’s largest anti-hunger program a few days late, after two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration should use backup funds to keep food aid running despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The Agriculture Department had said last week that it could not use a $5.5 billion contingency fund to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP or food stamps. But a federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the administration to release backup funds for the program, which feeds about 42 million Americans a month and is set to lose funding Saturday. Another federal judge in Massachusetts directed the government to decide by Monday whether it would use the $5.5 billion in contingency funds for food aid.

Despite the rulings, millions of Americans still won’t get food assistance benefits on Saturday because the backup funds were not ordered to be released on time. States and their contractors need a few days’ notice before sending food assistance directly to people who rely on it.

The federal government must now scramble to either ensure that some SNAP funding is made available by Monday or appeal the rulings.

So what happens if they appeal the rulings ( which if you asks me they should) and even if they do not the benefits still will not be on the cards today.

FreeinChrist · Saturday at 12:40 PM

Two federal judges ordered the use of contingency funds that Congress voted into law.

Trump can appeal, and does have his lawyers seeking clarification of the ruling.

Failing to use the contingency funds for SNAP as written in the SNAP law will just increase the anger the people are feeling for this president.
His poll numbers are the lowest of any of presidents, 1st term or 2nd term, that the USA has ever had. He hasn't solved inflation nor has he brought down grocery prices. Instead, Trump is spending money on a ballroom, and renovations in the White Hose, and events like these:

Trump Hosts Glittering 'Great Gatsby' Bash As Millions Lose SNAP Benefits

The president hosted his glittering, Roaring '20s-themed event at Mar-a-Lago hours before federal food benefits were set to go on pause.

www.huffpost.com

Hours before millions of Americans were set to lose federal food benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown, President Donald Trump hosted a glittering party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The official theme of the Halloween night bash was “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” according to a pool report. The line is a title of a song featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 movie version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby.”

Trump Marks Full Month Of Government Shutdown With $3.4 Million Golf Trip

The Air Force One trip is his 13th visit to his Palm Beach country club since he returned to office and brings his taxpayer funded golf total to $60.7 million.

www.huffpost.com

President Donald Trump marked the first full month of the ongoing government shutdown Friday by blaming it all on Democrats and taking a $3.4 million golf trip to Florida, bringing the total that taxpayers have spent on his hobby to $60.7 million since he retook the presidency in January.

This is his 13th trip to Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach country club, which is across the Intracoastal Waterway from his golf course in West Palm Beach, adjacent to the county jail.

Asked about the shutdown, which has furloughed nearly 700,000 federal workers and is forcing another 700,000 to continue working without pay, Trump blamed Democrats. He told reporters after arriving on Air Force One: “It’s their fault. Everything is their fault.”

rambot · Saturday at 12:45 PM

FreeinChrist said:
Two federal judges ordered the use of contingency funds that Congress voted into law.

Trump can appeal, and does have his lawyers seeking clarification of the ruling.

Failing to use the contingency funds for SNAP as written in the SNAP law will just increase the anger the people are feeling for this president.
His poll numbers are the lowest of any of presidents, 1st term or 2nd term, that the USA has ever had. He hasn't solved inflation nor has he brought down grocery prices. Instead, Trump is spending money on a ballroom, and renovations in the White Hose, and events like these:

Trump Hosts Glittering 'Great Gatsby' Bash As Millions Lose SNAP Benefits

The president hosted his glittering, Roaring '20s-themed event at Mar-a-Lago hours before federal food benefits were set to go on pause.

www.huffpost.com

Hours before millions of Americans were set to lose federal food benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown, President Donald Trump hosted a glittering party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The official theme of the Halloween night bash was “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” according to a pool report. The line is a title of a song featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 movie version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby.”

Trump Marks Full Month Of Government Shutdown With $3.4 Million Golf Trip

The Air Force One trip is his 13th visit to his Palm Beach country club since he returned to office and brings his taxpayer funded golf total to $60.7 million.

www.huffpost.com

President Donald Trump marked the first full month of the ongoing government shutdown Friday by blaming it all on Democrats and taking a $3.4 million golf trip to Florida, bringing the total that taxpayers have spent on his hobby to $60.7 million since he retook the presidency in January.
This is his 13th trip to Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach country club, which is across the Intracoastal Waterway from his golf course in West Palm Beach, adjacent to the county jail.
Asked about the shutdown, which has furloughed nearly 700,000 federal workers and is forcing another 700,000 to continue working without pay, Trump blamed Democrats. He told reporters after arriving on Air Force One: “It’s their fault. Everything is their fault.”

The downfall of America isn't going to happen because the leadership stresses the economy, abuses the working class, abandons farmers, or infringes on individual rights. IT's when the supporters of the government doing such things, keep schtum and blame others.

eleos1954 · Saturday at 12:51 PM

FreeinChrist said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/31/government-shutdown-food-assistance/

States could get partial payments for the nation’s largest anti-hunger program a few days late, after two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration should use backup funds to keep food aid running despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The Agriculture Department had said last week that it could not use a $5.5 billion contingency fund to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP or food stamps. But a federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the administration to release backup funds for the program, which feeds about 42 million Americans a month and is set to lose funding Saturday. Another federal judge in Massachusetts directed the government to decide by Monday whether it would use the $5.5 billion in contingency funds for food aid.

Despite the rulings, millions of Americans still won’t get food assistance benefits on Saturday because the backup funds were not ordered to be released on time. States and their contractors need a few days’ notice before sending food assistance directly to people who rely on it.

The federal government must now scramble to either ensure that some SNAP funding is made available by Monday or appeal the rulings.

I think it will go to appeal .... not because the Republican party wants to stop SNAP payments ... but to determine if judges have the power to decide if they can over rule how congress acts or doesn't act. The democrats have voted against the CR 13 times which would allow the government to operate in a normal manner in an attempt to add a significant amount of spending attached to it. They could vote to keep the government open and "fight" for the "extras" later ... but they choose not to (they are OK with people losing their benefits) ... personally I think it is the midterms driving it ... I think after the midterms they will likely pass the CR ,,, who knows???

NxNW · Saturday at 1:12 PM

rambot said:
What does being a Christian have to do with feeding the poor?

Since 1980? Good question.

Oompa Loompa · Saturday at 1:15 PM

Maria Billingsley said:
FYI
The court decision to fund SNAP was needed to prevent mass food aid cutoff for 42 million Americans during the government shutdown.
It did not circumvent Congress; rather, judges mandated the administration use a $5 billion contingency fund that Congress had already appropriated for emergencies. The judges ruled the administration's refusal to use this existing fund—claiming it was illegal for a shutdown—was an erroneous and unlawful interpretation of the law.

Key legislative language:

"For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and including for activities authorized by section 18 of such Act, the Annual Appropriation Amount to remain available until expended, of which a contingency amount shall be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations.

A judge cannot order that...period.

Oompa Loompa · Saturday at 1:16 PM

rambot said:
What does being a Christian have to do with feeding the poor?

What does Christianity have to do with the topic? Are you suggesting that my religion somehow makes me owe something you don't?

Oompa Loompa · Saturday at 1:18 PM

rambot said:
He could forced his bloc in the Senate to put forward special legislation that would extend funding.

Or they could have supported the Democratic manuever to do the same earlier.

They did extend a special legislation that would extend funding. It was called the continuous resolution, and it was offered at least 13 times to democrats in the last four weeks. Unfortunately, all but a few voted against it.

Trump administration must release billions in SNAP funds, judge says

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Trump administration says members of the military will get paid Friday despite the government shutdown​

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