Summary
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could resume by Wednesday despite the ongoing government shutdown. Two federal judges ordered the administration to use emergency funds to continue SNAP payments.
Key Facts
- SNAP benefits impact about 42 million Americans.
- Two federal judges ruled that emergency funds must be used to continue SNAP payments during the government shutdown.
- The government shutdown began on October 1, causing delays in federal employee pay and benefits.
- The USDA said it could not pay full SNAP benefits without legal authority and sufficient funds.
- Current contingency funds available for SNAP are $5.25 billion, but full payouts require about $8.5 billion.
- Treasury Secretary Bessent mentioned a need to follow a process to allocate SNAP funds.
- President Trump stated that legal advice is being sought to ensure SNAP payments continue legally.
- Benefits are already behind schedule, and distributing payments could take weeks in some states.
