Overview
- Two federal judges directed the administration to use $5bn in contingency funds to resume SNAP for up to 42 million people after payments stopped on Saturday.
- The White House says it is awaiting judicial clarification and will not appeal the rulings, and partial payments could begin Wednesday under the court orders, according to the treasury secretary.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson cast Trump as a “big-hearted” president eager to end the shutdown and blamed Democrats for blocking efforts to reopen the government.
- Democratic leaders accused the administration of “weaponising hunger,” and critics pointed to a recent Mar-a-Lago gala and a reported $300m White House ballroom project proceeding during the stoppage.
- The FAA reported severe air traffic controller shortages, including 80% no-shows in the New York region and staffing issues at at least 35 facilities, producing growing airport delays.