The Trump administration said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would cease on Nov. 1.
Key Facts
Rhode Island District Judge John McConnell and Massachusetts District Judge Indira Talwani both ruled Friday that the Trump administration could not block SNAP benefits, used by about 42 million Americans.
McConnell said $6 billion in emergency funds appropriated by Congress for SNAP must be used to at least partially provide eligible Americans with their benefits (SNAP payouts cost around $8 billion per month).
The Trump administration has argued the Agriculture Department lacks the legal authority to use the emergency funds, claiming the money is reserved for emergencies like natural disasters.
After the ruling Friday, Trump said he had instructed White House lawyers to ask courts to provide clarity and legal direction on how to fund SNAP.
