Overview
- Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island directed the USDA to use emergency funds to keep SNAP operating in November, temporarily blocking a planned suspension.
- The orders allow the administration to decide on full or partial payments and require a plan by Monday, though card reloads typically take one to two weeks and appeals are possible.
- SNAP serves about 42 million people at a cost of roughly $8 billion per month, with disputes over tapping a $5 billion emergency fund and other reserves to sustain benefits.
- The shutdown that began on Oct. 1 has sidelined roughly 750,000 federal workers, and the CBO estimates $7–14 billion in permanent economic losses depending on its length.
- With negotiations stalled, Senate Republicans have floated a funding stopgap to Nov. 21 as the president urges ending the 60‑vote filibuster, and polls show most voters blaming Republicans ahead of Tuesday’s local elections.