UPDATE: In a critical move, the Trump administration has just announced it will only partially fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million Americans this month, following two significant court rulings. This development comes as the nation braces for the possibility of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
On November 6, 2023, federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) refusal to allocate from a contingency fund for November’s $8 billion in SNAP benefits, commonly referred to as food stamps. Judge John McConnell of the District of Rhode Island gave the USDA until the end of the day to either fully fund the benefits or make a partial payment. The administration opted for the latter, announcing it would cover only 50% of eligible households’ benefits using $4.65 billion from the contingency fund.
While this ensures that millions of low-income families will receive some assistance, a hunger crisis looms. Experts warn that no funds will remain for new SNAP applicants certified in November, exacerbating the impact of the ongoing government shutdown.
In response, Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the litigants, stated,
“It shouldn’t take a court order to force our president to provide essential nutrition that Congress has made clear needs to be provided.”
She emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the administration’s approach could lead to further delays in critical food assistance.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, who co-led the legal efforts, criticized the administration’s decision, saying,
“Never in the history of the SNAP program has funding ever been suspended or only partially funded.”
She pointed out the inadequacy of the partial funding, stating that the federal government has the resources to fully support the program.
Democratic leaders in Congress have also condemned the USDA’s decision. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the decision “cruel and callous,” urging immediate full funding to prevent further hardship for families as Thanksgiving approaches. He stated,
“Anything else is unacceptable.”
Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the bare minimum response from the Trump administration is not sufficient. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren joined the outcry, pushing for the full utilization of available resources to ensure no one goes hungry.
As the situation develops, the impact on 42 million Americans remains severe. The threat of a prolonged government shutdown adds urgency to the call for complete funding of SNAP benefits, leaving many families anxious about their ability to put food on the table.
What’s Next: Advocacy groups and legal representatives plan to continue pressing for full SNAP funding, emphasizing that the administration’s current strategy is inadequate. As families prepare for the upcoming holiday season, the fight for essential nutrition continues, with many looking to the courts to secure the benefits they need.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
