 "US President Donald Trump. (Reuters file)")
A US federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to provide emergency funding for a food aid programme at risk of shutting down due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to an AFP report, citing court documents.
Judge John J. McConnell of Rhode Island directed the Department of Agriculture to access a $5 billion contingency fund to maintain benefit payments.
The programme provides crucial support to approximately 42 million low-income Americans struggling to afford groceries.
“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have never, until now, been terminated,” The Hill quoted McConnell as saying at a hearing.
“And the United States has in fact admitted that the contingency funds are appropriately used during a shutdown and that occurred in 2019,” the judge added.
He ordered the US Department of Agriculture to distribute the emergency funds “timely or as soon as possible” and provide an update to the court by Monday.
The ruling ensures the continuation of aid while the government remains partially closed, highlighting the administration’s obligation to support vulnerable populations during the funding lapse.
McConnell’s ruling came just minutes after US District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a similar order.
The rulings reject a controversial claim by the Department of Agriculture that it could not tap the contingency fund — reported to have $5.3 billion remaining — to cover benefits during the shutdown.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHowever, millions of recipients are still expected to face delays.
Benefits, originally scheduled to begin distribution on Saturday, will take time to reach households as the Department of Agriculture and state agencies work to restore payments.
With inputs from agencies