The Trump administration has managed to find ways to cover military pay during the government shutdown, but has stated that it cannot do the same for federal food benefits. Justice Department lawyers have expressed concerns about using emergency funds for food assistance, citing legal uncertainty and potential disastrous consequences.
Despite having $5.25 billion in a contingency fund that could cover a portion of the $8 billion allotment for SNAP benefits, the USDA has stated that it cannot pay the benefits. This decision has left more than 20 million households, representing 42 million people, at risk of missing out on an average of $350 per household in SNAP benefits.
The administration’s lawyers have defended their decision, stating that tapping into the contingency fund would be risky and could lead to delays in future benefits. They also claimed that it would be exceedingly difficult to send out partial benefits, something that has never been done before.
The lapse in SNAP benefits is expected to have a severe impact on millions of Americans, as the government shutdown continues to be a point of contention between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have been holding press conferences and introducing bills to keep the SNAP benefits flowing, but these efforts have been blocked or ignored by Republicans.
One GOP lawmaker, Sen. Josh Hawley, introduced a SNAP bill of his own but it is unlikely to get a vote in the Senate. Hawley expressed doubts about the legality and feasibility of the administration sending out SNAP benefits, highlighting the challenges in fully funding the program.
The coming food cliff due to the lapse in SNAP benefits underscores the urgency of resolving the government shutdown. The administration’s decision not to tap into the contingency fund has been met with criticism, with experts questioning the prioritization of reserve funds over immediate food assistance for millions of Americans.
