Federal Judges Rule SNAP Benefits Must Be Distributed

Two federal judges ruled on Friday that the Trump administration must fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said there would be “no benefits issued,” beginning on Saturday. 

The Details: US District Judges Indira Talwani (MA) and John McConnell (RI) directed the USDA to tap into its $5.25 billion in contingency funds, despite the department’s decision to not distribute them during the government shutdown. The US Justice Department (DOJ) argued that providing partial benefits would be too costly at up to $9 billion per month. Talwani gave the Trump administration until Monday to release a plan of action.

Key Quotes: “The United States has in fact admitted that the contingency funds are appropriately used during a shutdown, and that occurred in 2019,” McConnell said, referring to the last government shutdown. Talwani argued, “Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to use other previously appropriated funds.”

For Context: SNAP benefits, also known as “food stamps,” currently serve about 42 million people in the US. A group of Democratic leaders sued the USDA earlier this week, claiming that not distributing the contingency funds would violate both the Food and Nutrition Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. Conversely, a group of Republican leaders called for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to agree to a continuing resolution to continue SNAP funding.

How The Media Covered It: News media across the political spectrum covered the story similarly, with some coverage even crossing partisan lines. Fox News (Right bias), for example, said Talwani “seemed sympathetic to the arguments” made by Democrats and uncharacteristically gave voice to Democratic leaders. USA Today (Lean Left) critically declared that “senators are gone for the weekend.” The outlet also noted a perceived shift in the USDA’s stance on contingency funds, stating, “As recently as last month, the Agriculture Department had said that the $5.25 billion at issue could be used to continue food aid. The department reversed itself amid a standoff with Senate Democrats.” Newsweek (Center) similarly highlighted McConnell’s mention of contingency fund usage during government shutdowns in the past.

RELATED: Who’s to Blame For The Potential SNAP Crisis? | AllSides

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