Judges Mandate Funding for SNAP Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Two federal judges have ruled that the administration of former President Donald Trump must utilize a contingency fund to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the program faces a funding crisis due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The shutdown, which has now extended for 31 days, threatens to halt critical food aid for approximately 42 million Americans, as SNAP is projected to run out of money by November 1.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by former President Barack Obama, has ordered the administration to provide a plan by Monday on whether it will draw from a contingency fund that contains just over $5 billion. This amount is insufficient to cover even half of November’s SNAP expenses, as indicated by Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, during a press conference on October 31, 2025. Joining her in the ruling was Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., also an Obama appointee, who mandated the use of the contingency fund and requested an update from the administration.

The implications of these rulings may extend beyond immediate funding solutions. Should the administration proceed with tapping into the fund, beneficiaries may face delays in accessing their benefits, as it typically takes about two weeks to reload the debit cards used for grocery purchases. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, noted that court rulings on funding could take “weeks or months” to finalize.

SNAP, the largest food assistance program in the United States, costs around $9.2 billion to operate monthly. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has claimed it is illegal to use the contingency fund for SNAP, funds from alternative sources, such as tariff revenue and unspent Pentagon research and development funds, have previously been allocated to support other programs, including the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) initiative.

Political tensions continue to rise as Democrats and Republicans clash over the government shutdown. Some Democrats have pointed to a separate fund containing $23 billion that could potentially be accessed, while Republicans have criticized their counterparts for blocking votes aimed at reopening the government. Johnson emphasized that funding SNAP would only address one aspect of the broader issues caused by the shutdown, which also affects federal employees and military personnel.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed his concerns about the impact of the shutdown on American lives, stating, “SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food. People should be getting paid in this country.” He referenced the numerous attempts by Republicans to pass a continuing resolution that would have maintained funding, noting that Democrats voted against it 13 times.

As the situation evolves, it is clear that the repercussions of the shutdown are being felt across the nation, leaving millions reliant on SNAP in a precarious position. The USDA has not yet responded to requests for further comments regarding the funding crisis.