Washington, D.C. — Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman issued the following statement after the Trump-Vance administration’s response to a court-mandated deadline to provide details on how it will restart the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that the U.S. Department of Agriculture paused as leverage during the government shutdown:

“Because of the court order our team, co-counsel, and clients secured on Friday, the Trump-Vance administration is being forced to pay SNAP benefits from the available contingency funds. This means SNAP beneficiaries – including children and seniors – whose money ran out at the end of last month should be receiving funds for essential nutrition. Yet, even after losing in court, the Trump-Vance administration is back in court today, still trying to deprive people of their full benefits under SNAP. 

“Today, the administration filed a statement saying it was opting to only partially pay benefits, which will not only prevent people from getting the full sustenance they need but also delay payments going out altogether. We are reviewing the administration’s submission to the court and considering all legal options to secure payment of full funds. It shouldn’t take a court order to force our President to provide essential nutrition that Congress has made clear needs to be provided. But since that is what it takes, we will continue to use the courts to protect the rights of people. For now, we are pleased to have forced the administration to release money it had been withholding from 42 million people in America who rely on their benefits. Rest assured, we will continue to fight so that people have the full benefits they are entitled to under SNAP.” 

A federal court granted a temporary restraining order on Friday to block the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful effort to halt SNAP during the ongoing government shutdown. The decision ensured that millions of children, seniors, veterans, and families will continue to receive essential food assistance while the case proceeds. More on the lawsuit can be found here.

###