Supreme Court Weighs SNAP Benefits Amid Shutdown

(AURN News) — Will millions of Americans get their food benefits this month, or will Washington’s shutdown politics leave them waiting to eat?
The Trump administration has once again asked the Supreme Court to stop a Rhode Island judge’s order requiring the government to pay full SNAP benefits in November.
The administration argues that courts shouldn’t decide how to spend money during a shutdown, saying that’s Congress’ job.
But U.S. District Judge John McConnell saw it differently, saying compliance means ensuring people are fed — not passing the burden to the states. His ruling came after the administration delayed payments, claiming it could not make them on time.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary pause late Friday, giving the government breathing room until an appeals court could review the case.
When that court refused to block the ruling, the administration again turned to the Supreme Court, warning that the decision could create chaos and interfere with shutdown negotiations — with benefits for 42 million Americans at stake.

About the Author

Ebony McMorris

White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris is a native Washingtonian and University of South Carolina alumna. Her passion is mentoring young adults by teaching community empowerment and media education. She is an NAB member and board member of the Thurgood Marshall Center and was presented the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing more than 4,000 hours of community service under the Obama Administration.

Ebony McMorris

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