Judges order Trump administration to keep paying for SNAP during the shutdown

Two federal judges issued nearly simultaneous rulings, mandating the Trump administration continue funding SNAP during the government shutdown. The judges' decisions permitted the administration some discretion regarding the level of funding for November. These rulings came just before the USDA planned to halt SNAP payments, affecting millions of Americans. Numerous state officials challenged the administration's plan, asserting a legal obligation to maintain the program. The administration initially cited constraints on using contingency funds, a position contested by the state officials. Judge McConnell in Rhode Island ruled that the program must be funded with contingency funds. Judge Talwani in Massachusetts also ruled that the USDA's suspension of payments was unlawful, ordering the government to use the funds. The rulings will require the government to use emergency reserves and restore waivers. The swiftness of reloading debit cards used for food purchases was immediately unclear. Both decisions are expected to face appeals.