Department of Agriculture using contingency funds to keep benefits going amid government shutdown. Plus, economists warn $70tn in inherited wealth over next decade will widen inequality
Department of Agriculture using contingency funds to keep benefits going amid government shutdown. Plus, economists warn $70tn in inherited wealth over next decade will widen inequality
Good morning.
The Trump administration said it would provide only partial relief to recipients of food stamps on Monday, amid mounting uncertainty among the nearly 42 million people on the supplemental nutrition assistance program (Snap).
The Department of Agriculture said it would use contingency funds to keep benefits going, but for just 50% of the usual funds. Money for the program officially ran out on Saturday as a result of the government shutdown, which is now in its 35th day and showing no sign of ending as congressional Republicans continue their standoff with the Democrats.
How did we get here? As a result of the shutdown, Donald Trump has threatened to cut off the food benefits for the first time in the program’s more than 60-year history. A federal judge last week prevented the Department of Agriculture from suspending Snap altogether.
What impact will it have? There have already been long lines at food banks across the nation. Chris Stein spoke to people affected, with many saying they would have to scrimp on food to get by. “I’m dumbfounded by the cruelty,” one said.Polls open across the nation as Trump threatens to cut funds if Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election
The candidates for New York City mayor spent a frantic final day campaigning across the city yesterday, as voters head to the polls today in New York, as well as for governor races in New Jersey and Virginia and a redistricting ballot initiative in California.
Last night Donald Trump issued a threat to New Yorkers: stop Zohran Mamdani or pay. “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,” he said, falsely labelling Mamdani, who argues for democratic socialism and has campaigned on affordability.
