Gov. Kelly issues statement over SNAP Benefits order

KANSAS (KSNT) - Governor Laura Kelly is reacting to pushback to the  United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to pause its food assistance program during the government shutdown.

A federal judge ordered the USDA to use emergency funds to continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on Friday.

“The Court’s decision today makes clear that the Trump Administration has acted unlawfully in its attempt to withhold November SNAP benefits from millions of Americans, including nearly 188,000 Kansans,” Governor Kelly said in a statement. “The federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program so Kansans can continue to feed themselves and their families. While this ruling is a step forward, I urge the USDA to act swiftly to comply with this order and issue November benefits to prevent 42 million Americans from going hungry.”

The order comes after Governor Kelly joined a coalition of 22 attorney generals, two governors and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration for suspending SNAP benefits.

Today's order decided that the USDA must use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits. The USDA must present a plan to the court by Monday, Nov. 3 to begin issuing SNAP benefits (full or partial).

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