Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary stay on Friday, pausing a lower court mandate that required the Trump administration to maintain full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding for November. The emergency order allows the First Circuit Court of Appeals time to consider the government's appeal, expiring 48 hours after that court renders its decision.
The dispute began when the USDA suspended SNAP benefits during a government shutdown that had reached 37 days. A district judge in Rhode Island ruled on Thursday that the administration acted arbitrarily by choosing to withhold assistance rather than provide relief, ordering immediate restoration of benefits for roughly 42 million Americans.
The appellate court has committed to expedited review of the case.
The dispute began when the USDA suspended SNAP benefits during a government shutdown that had reached 37 days. A district judge in Rhode Island ruled on Thursday that the administration acted arbitrarily by choosing to withhold assistance rather than provide relief, ordering immediate restoration of benefits for roughly 42 million Americans.
The appellate court has committed to expedited review of the case.
