"Both Obama-appointed judges rejected Trump administration arguments that more than $5 billion in USDA contingency funds could not legally be tapped to continue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for nearly 42 million people - about 1 in 8 Americans - while the federal government remains closed. But both also left unclear how exactly the relief should be provided, or when it will arrive for millions of families set to lose benefits starting Saturday."
"In Massachusetts, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani stopped short of granting California and a coalition of 24 other Democrat-led states a temporary restraining order they had requested. But she ruled that the states were likely to succeed in their arguments that the USDA's total shutoff of SNAP benefits - despite having billions in emergency contingency funds on hand - was unlawful."
Two federal judges ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to begin using contingency funds to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the federal shutdown. The judges rejected administration claims that more than $5 billion in contingency funds could not legally be tapped for SNAP. Nearly 42 million people face potential benefit loss starting Saturday without action. Judges gave USDA until Monday to specify whether it will provide reduced benefits from contingency funds or full benefits combining contingency and other available funds. One judge required SNAP funding with at least contingency funds as soon as possible. Timing and delivery methods remain unclear.
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