Tue Oct 28 17:00:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Government Shutdown Threatens Food Assistance as States Sue Trump Administration

Washington D.C. – October 28, 2025 – Millions of Americans relying on food stamps face the potential loss of benefits as a government shutdown continues into its fourth week. A coalition of states, including California, New York, and Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments, commonly known as food stamps.

The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts, seeks a court order compelling the Department of Agriculture to continue SNAP benefits for November, utilizing a contingency fund. The states argue that cutting off food assistance to roughly 42 million Americans is unlawful and will lead to increased food insecurity, hunger, and related health issues.

The legal challenge comes as the Senate struggles to pass a House-approved continuing resolution to fund the government. Thirteen attempts to advance the measure have failed, with only three Democrats consistently supporting it. Republicans are hoping pressure from the SNAP freeze, along with calls from the largest federal workers’ union, will sway more Democrats to support the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated limited interest in funding specific programs separately, emphasizing the need to reopen the government. House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Democrats to view union support for a stopgap measure as an opportunity to end the stalemate.

Meanwhile, Sen. Josh Hawley has introduced legislation to specifically fund SNAP through the shutdown, warning of dire consequences if food assistance lapses. The Trump administration maintains Senate Democrats are responsible for the situation as they don’t vote on the GOP-controlled bill to fund the government. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the funding will run out for SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown and will not use a contingency fund.

World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization, is providing free meals to furloughed federal workers in Washington, D.C., highlighting the growing hardship caused by the shutdown. Air traffic controller staffing has also been impacted, leading to delays at several major airports.

Negotiations continue among Senate Republicans regarding potential narrower bills to fund essential services, including air traffic control and SNAP. The situation remains fluid, with the looming threat of food assistance cuts adding urgency to finding a resolution.

Vice President JD Vance arrived at the Capitol shortly after 1 p.m. for his lunch with GOP senators. Vice President is expected to attend the Senate Republican lunch on Tuesday as the shutdown nears the one-month mark.

The focus is expected to be on President Trump’s tariff agenda as Senate Democrats look to force votes this week on terminating emergency declarations used to impose tariffs on Canada and Brazil, along with the general global tariffs.
The visit comes as the president is away from Washington on a three-country visit in Asia until later this week.

Read More