A federal judge has mandated the Trump administration to provide full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, rejecting plans for partial funding amid the ongoing government shutdown. Judge Jack McConnell issued the ruling during a Thursday hearing in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, emphasizing the dire consequences of inadequate aid. “People have gone without for too long,” McConnell stated, highlighting that over 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, many of whom are children, seniors, and veterans.
McConnell pointed out that the administration’s initial decision to access only a portion of a contingency fund would lead to unnecessary hardship. “The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur,” he remarked. He stated that the Trump administration needed to utilize the $4.65 billion contingency fund effectively and explore additional financial resources. “While the President of the United States professes a commitment to helping those it serves, the government’s actions tell a different story,” McConnell said in his written order.
The federal court’s decision came after advocacy groups, including cities, charities, unions, and businesses, filed a lawsuit urging the administration to fully fund SNAP. During the hearing, McConnell criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its hesitance to use available funds, calling the refusal “arbitrary and capricious.” He insisted that the USDA had a duty to prepare for the funding needs when the government shutdown commenced on October 1.
Amidst confusion about the funding plan, a Truth Social post from President Trump indicated that SNAP benefits would only be addressed once the government reopened. This contradicted representations made by administration lawyers, which claimed that recipients would receive partial benefits. The White House later reaffirmed that while partial benefits were still the plan, there would be delays in distribution.
Initially, the administration indicated it would provide only 50% of the benefits using the contingency fund. However, this was later revised to 65%. McConnell expressed frustration with the USDA’s lack of proactive measures to ensure timely distribution of benefits, stating, “USDA cannot now cry that it cannot get timely payments to beneficiaries…”
The ruling followed another case in Boston where a coalition of states sought a similar order to secure full SNAP funding. New York Attorney General Letitia James, involved in the Boston lawsuit, praised the Rhode Island ruling, stating, “A judge in Rhode Island just stopped the federal government from starving millions of Americans.” She expressed relief over the ruling but criticized the need for legal action to force the government to fulfill its responsibilities.
The outcome marks a significant intervention in the ongoing food security crisis exacerbated by the government shutdown, highlighting the critical role SNAP plays for millions of Americans. As the administration seeks to appeal the ruling to the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, the urgency of addressing food insecurity remains paramount.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/snap-trump-food-stamps-shutdown.html
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Publish Date: 2025-11-07 05:51:00
