US Partially Funds SNAP Benefits Amid Prolonged Shutdown

As the government shutdown approaches a record length, President Donald Trump's administration has agreed to partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, covering about half a month's worth of assistance for roughly 42 million Americans. This decision follows federal court orders requiring the administration to use a $5.25 billion emergency contingency fund to continue SNAP payments during the shutdown, although the administration has expressed reluctance to tap into other federal funds, citing risks and legal concerns. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted efforts to audit SNAP recipients to prevent fraud, particularly focusing on excluding illegal immigrants from receiving benefits, a move that has drawn political contention. The administration's partial funding plan has been met with criticism from advocacy groups demanding full funding, while the ongoing shutdown continues to exacerbate economic hardships for low-income Americans reliant on food aid. The shutdown stalemate persists amid congressional disputes over health insurance subsidies, with both parties blaming each other as public services and benefits remain disrupted. The Trump administration's compliance with court orders to partially fund SNAP marks a precarious attempt to mitigate the impact of the shutdown on vulnerable populations.