Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court is involved in a decision about funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during a government shutdown. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed with a decision to extend a temporary stop of a ruling that required the government to fully fund SNAP benefits. About 40 million Americans rely on SNAP, and the debates center around how to distribute limited funds during the ongoing government shutdown.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court needs to decide on the government funding for SNAP during a government shutdown.
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed with a decision to extend a temporary hold on court orders for SNAP funding.
- The Trump administration stopped SNAP funding in October because of the government shutdown.
- Approximately 1 in 8 Americans, or about 40 million people, use SNAP benefits.
- The government argued that full funding under current circumstances requires using emergency funds set aside for other purposes.
- An appeals court ordered SNAP funding to resume, but the Supreme Court issued a temporary hold on this ruling.
- The Solicitor General stated that using the required $4 billion for SNAP would disrupt other funding priorities during the shutdown.
- Attorneys for SNAP beneficiaries argue that the lack of funds causes serious harm to millions who need the assistance to buy food.
