Key points
- Trump administration avoids using contingency funds
- Court allows more time to consider funding request
- Senate passes bill to fund US government
WASHINGTON, United States: The US Supreme Court extended a pause on requiring the administration of President Donald Trump to pay food benefits during the federal shutdown, amid signs Congress was moving forward with reopening the government.
A lower court last week ruled that Trump’s government must fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November by the end of Friday, reports AFP.
However, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a so-called administrative stay to pause the ruling and give the court system additional time to consider the administration’s request to withhold funding.
The unsigned order extends the stay through Thursday night, allowing the Trump administration to avoid using contingency funds to make a multi-billion-dollar payment to states so they could distribute food stamps to around 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to afford groceries.
US government agencies
US government agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, and the pain has been mounting as welfare programs hang in the balance.
However, the Senate on Monday passed a bill to fund the US government through January.
The bill requires approval by the House of Representatives, which is expected to meet on Wednesday for debate and a possible vote, and Trump’s signature before the government reopens.
