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Indian American democrats hail court order restoring SNAP
They urged President Trump to comply with the ruling and release emergency food aid funds.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 01, Nov 2025
- 17:36 EDT
- 24
(Top L-R) Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi (Bottom L-R) Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar / X ((Top L-R) Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi (Bottom L-R) Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar)
Indian American lawmakers welcomed a federal court ruling directing the Trump administration to release emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which had been disrupted amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The decision comes after the administration’s refusal to use contingency funds, a move that risked cutting off food assistance for more than 42 million Americans.
Also Read: Trump administration cannot suspend food aid benefits, US judges rule
Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) said the president must obey the decision. “Trump MUST comply with the court’s decision to release emergency funding for SNAP,” she wrote on X.
Trump MUST comply with the court’s decision to release emergency funding for SNAP.
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) November 1, 2025
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) said the judgment affirmed what lawmakers had been demanding for weeks. “I’ve been calling on USDA to use emergency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the shutdown. Today, a federal judge agreed, ordering the Trump admin to maintain this vital lifeline for 42 million Americans. Hunger should never be a political weapon,” he said.
I’ve been calling on USDA to use emergency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the shutdown. Today, a federal judge agreed, ordering the Trump admin to maintain this vital lifeline for 42 million Americans. Hunger should never be a political weapon.https://t.co/o78yuqknl0
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) October 31, 2025
Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13) said it was “almost unbelievable that we need a federal judge to force the President to feed hungry children.”
Almost unbelievable that we need a federal judge to force the President to feed hungry children. https://t.co/gDC0Ml91Pf
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) October 31, 2025
Representative Ami Bera (CA-06) said two federal judges had ruled the administration’s withholding of food assistance illegal. “While that decision is welcome, concern and confusion remain as some families may still face delays in receiving their SNAP benefits,” he said, urging the administration to act quickly to ensure stability.
Yesterday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration’s withholding of November food assistance payments was illegal.
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) November 1, 2025
While that decision is welcome, concern and confusion remain as some families may still face delays in receiving their SNAP benefits.
Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) said the USDA’s earlier refusal to use its contingency fund would have left 42 million Americans hungry. “Food pantries have already seen 12 times more traffic than normal. It’s time for the House to come back in session, vote to ensure SNAP funding, and make sure our kids get fed,” he said.
USDA’s refusal to use its contingency fund means SNAP benefits will run out on Nov. 1 and leave 42 million Americans at risk of going hungry.
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) October 30, 2025
Food pantries have already seen 12x more traffic than normal. It’s time for the House to come back in session, vote to ensure SNAP…
Two separate rulings issued on Oct. 31 by U.S. District Judges John J. McConnell in Rhode Island and Indira Talwani in Massachusetts found the Trump administration’s move to halt food assistance “unlawful.” The courts directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use nearly $5 billion in contingency funds to continue SNAP payments during the shutdown.
SNAP, the largest federal food aid program, supports about 42 million Americans each month and costs over $8 billion monthly. Without the court order, millions of low-income households—including children and seniors—were at risk of losing assistance beginning Nov. 1.
The decisions came after lawsuits filed by Democratic-led states and advocacy groups arguing that the USDA had both the authority and the obligation to use emergency reserves. While the rulings avert an immediate crisis, state officials have warned of possible delays in November payments as agencies work to process the funds.
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