Federal Judges Order Trump Admin to Fund SNAP Amid Ongoing Shutdown

UPDATE: Two federal judges have just ruled that the Trump administration must urgently utilize a contingency fund to continue financing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, now entering its 31st day. This critical ruling comes as SNAP is set to run out of funds on November 1, endangering food assistance for approximately 42 million Americans who depend on the program.

The contingency fund, which has a balance of just over $5 billion, was addressed in a ruling by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts and Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island, both appointed by former President Barack Obama. They have given the administration until Monday to confirm whether they will access these funds or seek alternative sources to keep SNAP operational.

During a press conference on October 31, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins warned that the contingency fund is insufficient to sustain SNAP for even half of November. The potential lapse in this vital food aid could severely impact millions of Americans who rely on it for their daily needs.

Despite the judges’ ruling, challenges remain. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson indicated that it could take “weeks or months” for the courts to finalize decisions on funding, leaving beneficiaries in limbo. The SNAP program costs around $9.2 billion to operate, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has argued that it is illegal to use the contingency fund for this purpose.

Moreover, while Democrats have highlighted the existence of a separate fund with $23 billion available for government operations, Republicans have critiqued them for voting against efforts to reopen the government, thereby exacerbating the crisis affecting SNAP and other essential services.

Johnson emphasized the broader implications of the shutdown, stating, “Funding SNAP would only solve one issue the shutdown has spurred.” He pointed out that federal employees, military personnel, and FAA workers continue to suffer from the government’s frozen operations.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed these sentiments, stating on the Senate floor that “SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food. People should be getting paid in this country.” He criticized the repeated Democratic votes against funding resolutions, highlighting the real-world consequences of political maneuvers.

As the situation develops, all eyes are on the administration’s response to the judges’ ruling. Will they tap into the contingency fund, or will the struggle to secure SNAP funding continue? With critical assistance on the line, the urgency for action has never been higher.

Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds, and share your thoughts on the impact of these decisions on American families.