Sat Oct 25 01:01:34 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text, written from a neutral perspective, suitable for international consumption:

Summary:

Amidst a government shutdown in the United States that began on October 1, 2025, the Trump administration is refusing to use approximately $5 billion in contingency funds to maintain food aid (SNAP benefits) into November. A Department of Agriculture memo indicates that states temporarily covering SNAP costs will not be reimbursed, as these contingency funds are deemed legally unavailable for regular benefits. Democratic lawmakers are accusing Republicans of “weaponizing hunger,” while Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown and its resulting hardships. Some states are attempting to use their own funds to maintain food aid, while others are advising recipients to prepare for benefits to halt. The situation has created significant concern as about 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP for groceries.

News Article:

U.S. Government Shutdown Threatens Food Aid as Trump Administration Refuses Contingency Funds

Washington D.C. – Millions of Americans relying on food assistance are facing potential hardship as the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week. The Trump administration is rejecting calls to utilize approximately $5 billion in contingency funds to ensure the continuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits into November, raising concerns about food security across the country.

According to a leaked Department of Agriculture memo, the administration believes these contingency funds are legally unavailable for covering regular SNAP benefits. This decision comes despite calls from Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups to utilize the funds to mitigate the impact of the shutdown, which began on October 1st, over disagreements on government funding.

“Contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits,” the memo stated, emphasizing that those funds are reserved for disaster relief situations, such as assistance related to Tropical Storm Melissa.

The SNAP program, which assists approximately 1 in 8 Americans in purchasing groceries, is administered by individual states. Several states, including Louisiana, Vermont, and Virginia, have pledged to maintain food aid through state resources. However, other states are advising SNAP recipients to prepare for potential cessation of benefits.

The political fallout is significant. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of “trying to weaponize hunger”, while Republicans have blamed Democrats for the shutdown, asserting that November benefits would be paid if not for their actions.

The impasse has sparked urgent calls from 214 House Democrats in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The legislators state that chosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people.”

This latest department guidance on the contingency fund appears to contrast in some respects with the department’s 55-page plan for operations in the event of a shutdown. That plan stated that it’s evident Congress has intended for SNAP operations to continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds to cover state administrative expenses and to pay for participant benefits should a funding lapse occur in the middle of the fiscal year.

The Department of Agriculture guidance that surfaced Friday says the contingency fund is not available to support the current budget year’s benefits because “the appropriations for regular benefits no longer exists.”

The shutdown began when a short-term measure to fund the government failed to advance in the Senate. The current impasse is now the second-longest on record. The administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP benefits were paid in October, with states and lawmakers looking for guidance from the administration for what would happen next month.

The situation is unfolding rapidly, and the potential ramifications for millions of Americans dependent on food assistance are significant.

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