Late Sunday, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals let stand a Rhode Island judge’s order directing the Trump administration to fully fund this month’s SNAP benefits by tapping $4 billion set aside elsewhere. But Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily blocked the order, keeping the program’s status uncertain during the shutdown. USDA told states to undo any steps to issue full benefits or face penalties. The administration argued courts cannot spend federal money and urged Congress to end the impasse, as the Senate advanced a measure to reopen the government on its 41st day.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.