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A federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from halting SNAP payments during the shutdown, a day before the cutoff was set to begin. Judge Jack McConnell issued a temporary restraining order and directed the administration to use $6 billion in contingency funds and to look for other federal sources to keep at least some benefits flowing. Justice Department lawyer Tyler Becker argued SNAP no longer existed without appropriations and that using the contingency funds was discretionary. Plaintiffs, a coalition of cities, nonprofits, unions, and business groups, hailed the ruling.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.