Federal Fight Over Federal Funding Continues, States Rise Amid Trump’s Mixed Messages and Scotus Delay
Millions of Americans dependent on food assistance remain caught in political limbo after the Trump Administration’s November OneVency Aid Program, even as it asked the Supreme Court to block an order requiring those payments.
Huffpost reports that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo on Friday saying it is “working toward a benefit release in November 2025” in response to a federal court order. But just hours later, the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to step in and stop those funds from flowing out.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted an emergency stay, temporarily blocking the distribution of the full benefit until the Lower Court of Appeals at that time.
Legal Tug of War Food Aid War
Love bolitics? Get more! Join the BOSSIP Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
According to Huffpost, the Supreme Court’s involvement marks the latest twist in the ‘crazy back-and-forth’ with the longest-serving government in US history.
At the center of the battle is whether the administration can withhold food aid due to the end of RIMSE theft. The USDA initially said it could not pay benefits for November because the shutdown was cut off by money. But after Democrats and non-profit organizations sued, the judge ordered the agency to use a fund of 4.6 billion to release the minimum payment.
On Thursday, US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. Increase it again, full ordering by tapping more money. The Trump administration quickly appealed, calling the order “unprecedented.” In Hufípost, solicitor Juvelonkem D. John Sauer told the high court that the decision “makes a mockery of the separation of powers.”
Trump’s mixed messages
President Donald Trump has renewed confusion with contradictory statements about funding.
Huffpost says that Trump said that there will be no benefits for the Democrats to agree to open the government, “only for House Press Karoline Leavet until later” he did not mean. “
Despite publicly insisting that he will ensure that Americans receive their food assistance, the administrative court filings argue the opposite, urging the judges to prevent the government from imposing the full amount.
According to the administration, paying benefits now will release unrecoverable money.
“Once those billions go out the door, there’s no fair way for the state to get those funds back,” Sauer said in the filing, accusing some states of trying to “capture what they can do with the rest of the standard set.”
The country sacrificed to feed the families
Before the Supreme Court stepped in, several states rushed to process the payments.
Huffpost reports that Wisconsin issued $104 million in benefits at midnight to 337,000 households. In Oregon, Gov. Tina Kina Kotek said state workers “worked around the clock” to ensure families who rely on Snap “can shop.” Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington also moved quickly, while Delaware used state money to pay off temporary back pay.
Still, many countries were left waiting for federal guidance after the Supreme Court stayed the ban on further distribution.
Millions left in Limbo
The food program works for about one in eight Americans, providing monthly benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT cards). By staying in the area, families are faced with new uncertainty about where they will get help.
Huffpost reports Deblips, a 66-year-old retiree from Arizona, said he missed $423 in benefits this month.
“If it wasn’t for the fact that I kept some money in the book, knowing that this was coming, I wouldn’t be eating at home now,” he told the outlet.
Jasmen Wengbey, a single mother in Newark, Nj said her balance was $0 as she waited in line at the grocery store.
“It’s not everybody who has the money to take it out and say, ‘Okay, I’m going to go get this,'” he said.
Bottom line
The administration’s mixed-up approach, which sentences it to pay while prompting the Supreme Court to stop payments, shows a continuing disconnect between political messaging and policy execution.
As the appeals process continues, 42 million Americans, including millions of children, remain uncertain about when they will be able to get their next meal. For now, the government’s promises of ‘funding’ are just that, promises, while food insecurity continues to grow under Washington’s watch.
