WASHINGTON — The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ran out of federal funding on Saturday, marking the first time in history the federal welfare program has lapsed as the government shutdown enters its second month.
More than 41 million families won’t receive their monthly SNAP benefits check next week as resources within the program have dried up, according to the Trump administration. The lapse in food stamp funding is likely to act as a pressure point for Republicans to use against their Democratic colleagues to pass the GOP-led spending resolution to reopen the government and replenish federal programs.
“You have real people, real families. You have children who will go hungry beginning this weekend,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on Friday. “When those resources dry up, they rely upon that, and yet the Democrats continue with their political games in Washington while people are sitting around the dinner table without the resources that they need. The administration has done all it can to keep this program afloat, but the limits have been reached.”
Previous administrations have taken measures to ensure SNAP benefits remained available during past shutdowns, either through the program’s contingency fund or reallocating appropriated funds elsewhere. President Donald Trump did so during his first term by using an expired government spending bill to fund the benefits early.
However, top Republicans say that is not plausible this time around as there is no funding available to keep the program afloat.
“President Trump has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that if there is any way to fund these programs that are drying up, if there was any way to fund SNAP during the Democrat shutdown, you can be assured that your commander in chief would move,” Johnson said. “But we are now reaching a breaking point. “
But Democrats say the Trump administration is falsely claiming its hands are tied behind its back — arguing the president could make additional funds available if he chose.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused the White House of lying when top officials say the contingency fund has run dry, joining other Democrats who are demanding Trump use previously appropriated funds to issue SNAP payments.
Some Democratic-led states have even gone so far as to sue the Trump administration over accusations the president is illegally withholding congressionally approved funds through the month of November. Twenty-five states as well as Washington, D.C., have signed on to the lawsuit.
Two judges ruled on Friday the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP during the shutdown, demanding an update from the White House by Monday on how it will provide those funds. It’s likely the administration will appeal that decision.
The ruling came in response to Democratic arguments that not only does the Trump administration have the funds available, but that it’s legally required to disburse them.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called those characterizations “absolutely false” when addressing reporters on Friday, arguing the contingency fund does not have enough money to cover benefits for the full month. The account holds roughly $5 billion, which could cover benefits until mid-November, according to some experts.
“It is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded. It’s called a contingency fund, and by law, a contingency fund can only flow when the underlying fund is flowing,” Rollins said. “Even if it could flow, it doesn’t even cover half of the month of November.”
Even if the Trump administration complies with the judges’ rulings, it could take up to two weeks for those payments to be issued and reloaded on SNAP benefit cards.
The shutdown is barreling toward becoming the longest in U.S. history, a mark it will hit if the government remains closed past Tuesday. The House is not expected to return until the government is reopened. The lower chamber has not been in session for votes since Sept. 19.