The Trump administration will cut food assistance for 42 million Americans, providing half of the normal allocation due to the budget impasse.

The administration of President Donald Trump has announced that it will reduce food assistance for over 42 million Americans, providing only half of the normal monthly allocation. This measure comes in the context of the government shutdown, which is on track to become the longest in history, without an immediate solution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), also known as food stamps, is facing funding difficulties due to the suspension of government activity, which began on October 1. Judges have given the Trump administration until Monday to present a plan for benefit payments, and states will receive clarifications regarding the distribution of reduced funds by the end of the day on Monday. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have ruled that USDA must use $5.25 billion from emergency funds to make partial payments to Snap program beneficiaries.