22 States Sue Trump Administration Over SNAP Funding During Government Shutdown

SNAP Benefits at Risk During Shutdown

• 📌 The government shutdown, now on day 29, has put the fate of SNAP benefits for tens of millions of Americans at risk.
• ⚠️ Federal SNAP benefits could expire by Saturday of this week if a spending bill is not passed.

Lawsuit to Protect Food Aid

• ⚖️ Twenty-two Democratic-led states and Washington D.C., along with three governors, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
• 🏛️ The lawsuit urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to utilize approximately $5 billion in contingency funds to partially cover SNAP benefits for November.
• ❌ Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the easiest solution is for Democrats to reopen the government, claiming they lack the legal authority to use contingency funds for SNAP.

Impact on Americans

• 📉 The USDA reports that SNAP served over 41 million Americans on average last year, assisting roughly one in eight Americans with purchasing groceries.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children constitute a significant portion of SNAP recipients, making up 39% of all recipients in 2023, with an average benefit of about $187 per person per month.
• 📈 Google searches for food banks have surged by 400% in the past week, and searches have increased eightfold since the government shutdown began.

Other Government Concerns

• ✈️ Air traffic controllers are working without paychecks and missed their first full paycheck this week.
• 💳 Active duty military members are expected to receive their paychecks on Friday, though the source of the funds has not been specified.