Trump Administration Faces Monday Deadline to Respond to SNAP Funding Orders
The White House must answer two federal judges by Monday on whether it will obey court orders requiring continued funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food‑assistance initiative. The deadline follows a series of lawsuits alleging that the administration’s use of contingency funds to offset SNAP expenditures violates statutory limits.
Judges in the Southern District of New York and the District of Columbia have ruled that the executive branch cannot unilaterally reallocate emergency funds to cover the program’s shortfall without congressional approval. Both courts have ordered the administration to either resume full SNAP payments or provide a detailed plan showing how the program will be funded while remaining within the legal constraints of the Farm Bill.
Legal analysts note that the cases stem from a broader dispute over the administration’s budgetary approach, which has sought to trim federal spending by tapping discretionary reserves. Industry experts warn that a disruption in SNAP benefits could affect millions of low‑income households that rely on the program for daily meals. "Any interruption in funding would have immediate repercussions for vulnerable families across the country," said a spokesperson for a national anti‑hunger coalition.
In response, a senior administration official indicated that the Treasury is reviewing the judges’ rulings and that a compliance plan will be submitted before the deadline. The official declined to comment on specific funding mechanisms but emphasized the administration’s commitment to maintaining essential services while adhering to fiscal guidelines set by Congress.
Congressional leaders from both parties have expressed concern about the potential impact on food security. Several members of the Senate Appropriations Committee have called for a bipartisan hearing to examine the legal and humanitarian implications of the funding dispute. If the administration fails to meet the courts’ expectations, it could face contempt citations or additional litigation that might further delay SNAP payments.
The outcome of Monday’s filings will likely shape the federal government’s approach to emergency budgeting and could set a precedent for how contingency funds are used in future social‑welfare programs. Observers expect that, regardless of the immediate decision, the issue will remain a point of contention between the executive branch, the judiciary, and Congress throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.
