2025 SNAP shutdown

Background

In 2025, following the lead of the newly-reelected Trump administration, the House of Representatives moved for a new budget resolution that cuts funding to an array of social programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.^[1] Passed in a resolution of 217 to 215, the cuts are part of an effort to allow a $4.5 Trillion tax cut.^[1] Nonprofits such as No Kid Hungry have taken to social media using the hashtag #protectSNAP to raise awareness about the potential cuts.^[2]

SNAP is authorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.^[3] This law, the precursor of which was the Food Stamp Act of 1977, has since 1973 been periodically reauthorized under the aegis the omnibusfarm bill; and the program was last so reauthorized by the 2018 farm bill.^[3] For programs with mandatory spending authorized but not appropriated by the farm bill—such as SNAP—an appropriations act or continuing resolution could allow operations to continue.^[4] Numerous farm bill provisions expired in 2023 which were extended in this manner through September 30, 2025.^[3][5] In the event of farm bill expiration, SNAP operations had heretofore been continued with the provision of appropriations.^[3]

November shutdown

In October 2025, it was announced that November's SNAP payments would not be disbursed as a consequence of the 2025 U.S. federal government shutdown, affecting 42 million Americans.^[6] However, two federal judges ruled on October 31, 2025 that the Trump Administration must pay food stamps during November.^[7] As of November 1, new restrictions had been promulgated, but funding was still not forthcoming, and the situation remained confused.^[8] Arguments will be made to both judges (in response to their orders) by attorneys from the Trump administration on November 3.^[9][10]