Urgent Ruling: Trump Admin Must Fund SNAP Amid Ongoing Shutdown

UPDATE: In a critical ruling on Friday, two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to access a contingency fund to prevent an imminent lapse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). With the federal government shutdown now stretching into its 31st day, food aid for millions hangs in the balance.

The SNAP program is projected to run out of funds by November 1, leaving approximately 42 million Americans potentially without essential food assistance. The contingency fund, containing just over $5 billion, has been deemed insufficient to sustain the program through even half of November, as emphasized by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at a press conference held on October 31, 2025.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by former President Barack Obama, has mandated that the Trump administration respond by Monday regarding their plans to utilize the fund or secure alternative funding sources. Similarly, Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., also an Obama appointee, has requested an update on the situation.

“SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food. People should be getting paid in this country,”

stated Senate Majority Leader John Thune during a Senate floor speech, highlighting the urgency of the situation. These rulings are expected to face legal challenges, and even if funds are allocated, it may take approximately two weeks for beneficiaries to regain access to their grocery debit cards.

As the shutdown continues, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson warned that it could take “weeks or months” for courts to confirm the release of funds. The USDA has claimed that using the contingency fund to support SNAP is illegal, yet funds from various sources, including tariff revenues and unused Pentagon research funds, have been redirected to sustain other programs such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and military salaries.

Democrats have pointed to an alternative fund with $23 billion available, but Republicans have criticized their party for voting against measures to reopen the government, which has left SNAP and other vital programs in jeopardy. Johnson emphasized that funding SNAP would only address one aspect of the broader shutdown crisis, which continues to impact federal employees, military members, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers.

“When they voted against the [continuing resolution], they chose not to keep all this funding,”

Johnson asserted, referring to the Democrats’ repeated votes against reopening government operations. The stakes are high, as the ongoing shutdown has far-reaching consequences for millions of Americans reliant on federal support.

With the clock ticking, all eyes are on the administration’s response by Monday. The situation remains tense, and updates are expected as the implications of the rulings unfold. The urgency of food aid for millions is a pressing matter that must not be overlooked in the political fray.

Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent situation as it continues to evolve.