#Socialites, get a load of this! The Supreme Court has just ruled in favor of the Donald Trump administration and is temporarily blocking a federal judge’s order requiring they pay out full SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits this week.
Before the latest decision, the country faced a looming pause to SNAP benefits beginning on November 1, due to the ongoing government shutdown. Today marks day 37. On October 31, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to pay out SNAP benefits payments. Trump reacted to the news on Truth Social and said:
“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do. I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible. It is already delayed enough due to the Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out. If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay. The Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number: (202) 224-6542.”
By Monday (November 3), the Trump administration backtracked, adamantly declaring it would only “partially” fund SNAP benefits. The statement arrived after at least two federal judges ordered the continuation of the food aid program. On Thursday (November 6), U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr., a Barack Obama appointee, slammed the Trump administration for violating his earlier written order.
McConnell gave the government two options for compliance: 1) The administration had discretion to make full payments — which would not need to go through the same administrative hurdles — as soon as practical. 2) The government also had the option to make partial payments, but was required to do so by Wednesday (November 5).
Donald Trump Administration Appeals Federal Judge’s Order To Fully Fund SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
Despite federal orders to fully fund SNAP benefits, the Trump administration immediately appealed the decision to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. In the appeal, the administration requested an emergency block. The White House claimed it only wanted to cough up 65% of what’s owed to families relaying on government food stamps.
The appeal also stated the government did agree on using money from a contingency fund to cover that amount. Note: this was previously proposed earlier this week, with the administration wanting to only “partially” pay out SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, Judge McConnell insisted the government has the funds to fully pay out families.
RELATED: Trump Administration Appeals Order To Pay Full November SNAP Food Benefits
Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Donald Trump Administration, Temporarily Blocking Order To Fully Fund SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
Since the Trump administration’s November 6 appeal, the Supreme Court has handed down a ruling Friday evening (November 7). The high court has decided to grant the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block Judge McConnell’s order to fully fund SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.
The Trump administration claimed by fully funding SNAP it would be spending more money than available in the contingency fund it planned to use to “partially” make payments to the 42 million Americans using the supplemental food aid. The Supreme Court agreed, allowing the administration to continue with its planned partial payments for the month of November.
According to reports, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson agreed to lift the deadline for the federal government to fully fund SNAP payments. In the temporary stay, the justice said she is lifting the deadline for now to help “facilitate” the appeals court’s next action. Essentially, she is giving more time for the First Circuit Court of Appeals to review Judge McConnell’s order.
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