The U.S. Supreme Court granted a request from the Trump administration to extend a temporary pause on a lower court order that would have required the federal government to fully fund food aid benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

The order, issued late Tuesday, extends a stay previously granted by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on an injunction from U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island.

McConnell’s ruling had directed the administration to use additional funds to fully finance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related child nutrition programs despite the lapse in appropriations.

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Solicitor General John Sauer filed the emergency appeal on behalf of the federal government, arguing that the district court had overstepped its authority.

“The core power of Congress is that of the purse, while the executive is tasked with allocating limited resources across competing priorities,” Sauer wrote in the filing.

“But here, the court below took the current shutdown as effective license to declare a federal bankruptcy and appoint itself the trustee, charged with picking winners and losers among those seeking some part of the limited pool of remaining federal funds.”

The administration had previously agreed to partially fund SNAP benefits at approximately 65 percent during the shutdown.

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Judge McConnell’s order, however, required the government to identify and use separate funding sources to maintain the program at full levels.

“The only way to end this crisis — which the executive is adamant to end — is for Congress to reopen the government,” Sauer added, emphasizing that the executive branch could not unilaterally reallocate funds without congressional authorization.

The Supreme Court’s decision to extend the stay allows the pause to remain in effect through Thursday at midnight while the administration continues efforts to resolve the shutdown.

The development comes as Congress moves closer to passing legislation to fully reopen the government after a record 42-day lapse in federal funding.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the Court’s action, describing it as a necessary step to prevent further judicial interference in the administration’s management of federal programs.

“Our @TheJusticeDept attorneys just secured a further administrative stay through Thursday at midnight at the Supreme Court to prevent further judicial upheaval for the SNAP and Child Nutrition programs,” Bondi wrote on X.

“Thank you to the Court for allowing Congress to continue its swift progress to end the shutdown WITHOUT last-ditch disruption from lower courts. We will continue fighting and winning to protect President Trump’s agenda from meritless judicial activism.”

Our @TheJusticeDept attorneys just secured a further administrative stay through Thursday at midnight at the Supreme Court to prevent further judicial upheaval for the SNAP and Child Nutrition programs.

Thank you to the Court for allowing Congress to continue its swift progress…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) November 11, 2025

The case has drawn intense political scrutiny.

Justice Jackson faced criticism from left-leaning activists after initially granting the emergency pause, which some mischaracterized as a partisan decision favoring the administration.

Legal analysts noted, however, that the move was procedural and in line with standard practice for emergency requests pending full consideration by the Court.

Approximately 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The temporary disruption of benefits during the shutdown has sparked concern among recipients and advocacy groups.

“The first thing I did was grab my phone and call, and when I heard ‘zero dollars,’ my chest went into my throat!” said Maggie Aragon of New Mexico in an interview with KOAT-TV.

“I have depended on those benefits since the 1990s, and it’s detrimental to my life if I don’t get them.”

“When I heard, ‘Zero dollars,’ my chest went into my throat.”

New Mexico woman on food stamps for 30 years says SNAP freeze is “detrimental to my life.” pic.twitter.com/VFSn9LJcXM

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 2, 2025

The administration has maintained that ensuring long-term stability of SNAP funding depends on congressional action, not judicial intervention.

With lawmakers expected to vote on a funding package later this week, the Supreme Court’s stay preserves the status quo until the legislative process concludes.

The Justice Department confirmed that it will continue defending the administration’s position in court while supporting congressional negotiations to end the shutdown and restore full funding for essential programs.

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