Washington: Two US federal judges have issued rulings to prevent the Trump administration from halting food aid for millions of Americans amid the ongoing government shutdown, which has stretched beyond a month. The judges have ordered the government to utilize contingency funds to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps.
According to Anadolu Agency, the rulings came from judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island following lawsuits aimed at stopping the US Agriculture Department from suspending SNAP benefits starting Saturday. Both judges have mandated the administration to return to court on Monday to outline how they plan to implement the orders.
On Friday evening, President Donald Trump took to social media to assert that he had directed government lawyers to collaborate with the courts to expedite the release of SNAP funds, while attributing any delays to the Democrats. Trump stated, "If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding," despite his administration's earlier claim that it was unable to release the funds.
Despite the court orders, many Americans will still face missed food assistance on Saturday due to the contingency funds not being approved in time. The process of notifying states and their vendors requires several days to distribute the benefits to recipients.
US District Judge John McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, criticized the administration's decision to withhold $5.25 billion in contingency funds for November benefits, calling it unjustified. He emphasized that the USDA must distribute the contingency funds 'timely, or as soon as possible, for the November 1 payments to be made.'
SNAP is designed to assist low-income Americans earning under 130% of the federal poverty level, approximately $1,632 monthly for an individual and $2,215 for a family of two. States are responsible for managing the program and distributing the monthly benefits.
Judge McConnell highlighted the potential harm caused by the uncertainty surrounding food funding, stating, "There is no doubt and it is beyond argument that irreparable harm will begin to occur if it hasn't already occurred in the terror it has caused some people about the availability of funding for food, for their family."
In a separate ruling in Boston, US District Judge Indira Talwani, also appointed by Obama, indicated that the Agriculture Department might be misinterpreting the law. While she refrained from immediately ordering the release of contingency funds requested by 26 Democratic attorneys general and governors, representing over half of the US states, she directed the agency to decide by Monday on their approval.
Judge Talwani noted that the suspension of benefits was based on an 'erroneous construction' of the law and allowed officials the opportunity to authorize at least reduced SNAP payments for November.
Despite potential delays due to processing issues, anti-hunger advocates and Democrats have welcomed the rulings, recognizing them as a source of relief for millions relying on SNAP.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar criticized the Agriculture Department's actions, stating it has 'no excuse to withhold food assistance' and termed any inaction as 'a cruel political decision,' urging swift measures to ensure families receive the necessary support.