US
Courts Order Trump to Keep Paying Food Stamps Amid Shutdown
Residents wait in line at a meal distribution site for furloughed federal workers in Washington on Oct. 31.
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergTwo federal judges ruled the Trump administration’s decision to suspend food-aid benefits for tens of millions of Americans during the government shutdown is likely unlawful and that US officials must use contingency funding to at least partially keep the program operational.
US District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island on Friday announced in court that he would order the US Department of Agriculture to distribute a pool of emergency funding “as soon as possible” for November benefits. He also urged the administration to explore tapping other sources of federal dollars to ensure the program is fully funded.