Federal food aid in the United States remains uncertain as the government shutdown reaches its 33rd day. Two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) running. The program helps about 42 million Americans buy food.
Rhode Island Judge John McConnell ordered the administration to pay SNAP benefits in full by Monday or make partial payments using the $5 billion contingency fund. A Massachusetts court issued a similar order.
Despite the rulings, millions of users saw “NO BALANCE FOUND” messages on their SNAP cards Saturday. The National Parents Union accused the administration of defying court orders and withholding aid. President Trump said on Truth Social that government lawyers are seeking clarification on how SNAP can be legally funded.
Senator Amy Klobuchar said the administration has “no excuse” to withhold SNAP funds after the court decisions. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins argued that the contingency fund cannot legally be used and said it covers only part of the month’s payments.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected President Trump’s call to remove the filibuster rule to end the shutdown. Thune’s spokesman said his position on the 60-vote threshold is “unchanged.”
With no funding deal in sight, food banks across the country report growing demand and warn they cannot meet the rising need if SNAP benefits stop.
