Trump Administration Refuses to Use Contingency Funds for SNAP, Despite Precedent and Urgency from Democrats and Advocates

As the government shutdown continues, the Trump administration has insisted that it cannot use a contingency fund to help with food assistance for over 40 million Americans in November. This decision contradicts long-standing precedent, including from President Donald Trump's first term, and has been met with criticism from Democrats and anti-hunger advocates. Despite a lawsuit filed by a coalition of Democratic officials and a separate lawsuit by a coalition of cities, nonprofits, unions, and small businesses, the administration has maintained that the contingency fund can only be used in the event of a natural disaster or catastrophe.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration has refused to use a contingency fund of $5.5 billion to help with food assistance for over 40 million Americans in November, despite long-standing precedent and the urgency of the situation.
• Democrats and anti-hunger advocates argue that the administration is violating federal spending laws and that the contingency funds should be released to cover partial payments for the month.
• Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has expressed skepticism of the administration's argument, suggesting that she may order officials to use the reserves to partially fund food assistance.
• The contingency funds were established by Congress to be used in emergency situations, but the administration has argued that the current government shutdown does not qualify as an emergency.
• Even if the funds are released, they would not be enough to cover a full month of benefits, which cost the federal government about $9 billion monthly.
• Anti-hunger advocates have condemned the administration's decision, arguing that withholding the contingency funds will have far-reaching impacts on local economies, grocery stores, food banks, and agriculture.

Statistics:

• Over 40 million Americans rely on the SNAP program for food assistance.
• The federal government spends approximately $9 billion monthly on SNAP benefits.
• The contingency fund of $5.5 billion is not enough to cover a full month of benefits.
• A partial payment of benefits could be made using the contingency funds, which would provide some respite to Americans affected by the shutdown.
• The administration's decision to withhold the contingency funds has been met with criticism from 26 Democratic officials who filed a lawsuit against the Agriculture Department.
• A separate lawsuit was filed by a coalition of cities, nonprofits, unions, and small businesses, with a hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Sources:

• "Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins tells reporters that the contingency fund for SNAP 'can only flow if the underlying appropriation is approved.'" - The Washington Post
• "The USDA sent a memo to states last week saying the contingency money is meant to be held in case of natural disasters or other catastrophes, not used to cover for a lapse in government funding." - The Washington Post
• "David Super, a law professor at Georgetown University, said, 'She's taking the position that the department did in the leaflet they circulated on October 24, but there's simply nothing in either the Food and Nutrition Act or the appropriations acts that supports that.'" - The Washington Post
• "Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts expressed skepticism of the administration's argument, saying, 'Congress has put money in an emergency fund, and it is hard for me to understand how this is not an emergency.'" - The Washington Post
• "Eric Mitchell, president of the Alliance to End Hunger, said in a statement, 'Grocery stores, food banks, agriculture, transport, local economies ... everything will begin to feel these impacts.'" - The Washington Post