The RecordExhibit 62
Letting food aid lapse for 42 million people
Mixed rulings means: Courts have ruled both ways on parts of it.
During the government shutdown, the administration said SNAP food benefits would not go out in November, despite an emergency fund holding more than $4.6 billion.
What happened
Two judges ruled it could not skip November. It then offered 65% of benefits, which could have left some families with nothing, and went to the Supreme Court to avoid paying in full.
Where it stands
An appeals court ruled unanimously that full payment could be required. Justice Jackson temporarily paused the full-payment order while appeals played out, and on Nov. 11, 2025, the full court extended the pause over her objection. The fight ended without a final ruling: the bill that ended the shutdown funded SNAP in full through the end of the fiscal year, and on Nov. 13 the administration withdrew its Supreme Court request as moot.
The administration's side
The administration said only Congress can appropriate the money and that other funds were needed for child hunger programs.
Sources
Permanent link: https://unredactedrecord.com/e/snap/