by By Seth Thompson
Today a federal judge ruled for the Trump Administration to continue paying for food benefits through the month of November despite the recent government shutdown. This ruling sided with local officials and nonprofits looking to ensure millions of low-income American families would have food on the table next month. It also found the government acting unlawfully, refusing to dip into the emergency reserve for food benefits—a reserve that totals billions of dollars.
Despite the large pool of money to draw from—set aside for seemingly this exact scenario—the government-owned USDA website has a message reading, “Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
The claim stating “the well has run dry” is now provably false. The message also serves to place all blame for the loss of benefits on Senate Democrats despite Republicans currently holding control over the senate, the house and the presidency. The message also reads as very emotional, referencing how the Democrats are holding the money in order to distribute it as healthcare to “illegal aliens” and for “gender mutilation procedures” which are both very common right-wing talking points about Democrats.
Obviously, there is no evidence that Democrats are withholding government money for these purposes. Still, despite the ruling, it is unclear if Americans will receive food benefits this November. Earlier today President Trump stated on social media that he has instructed his lawyers to ask the court how the government can provide these benefits legally.
This puts the fate of SNAP benefits for Americans next month on an indefinite hiatus. Although it seems there is an easy way for the government to fund this program, President Trump—who has previously been found guilty of 34 felony charges—is putting his foot down to make sure this is done “legally”.
With 41.7 million Americans receiving food benefits on a monthly basis, the ongoing uncertainty for SNAP benefits is causing many people in this country to worry if they’ll have anything to eat in November. With Thanksgiving around the corner as well, it’s very possible the dinner table looks more empty than it ever has next month. Updates for this situation are currently being posted live on the New York Times website as this story unfolds further.
