USDA must make full SNAP payments after judge denies bid to halt them

• "A single district court in Rhode Island should not be able to seize center stage in the shutdown, seek to upend political negotiations that could produce swift political solutions for SNAP and other programs, and dictate its own preferences for how scarce federal funds should be spent," she said on X.

Zoom out: Friday's decision leaves in place the Thursday ruling from Judge John McConnell Jr., though it doesn't rule out potentially granting a stay on benefits later on since the legal battle isn't over yet.

• In a Friday memo sent to states before the ruling was issued, the USDA said it was planning to fund November SNAP benefits in full, multiple outlets reported.
• Axios was unable to independently verify the memo.

Catch up quick: The week has been marked by twists and turns in the legal battle over food benefits since SNAP funds failed to arrive in program enrollees' accounts at the start of November.

• On Monday, the USDA said it would partially fund November benefits after two federal judges ordered the payments to be released, adding that the rollout could "take anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months" due to outdated systems that states use to issue benefits and administrative red tape.

• Estimates from the USDA on Thursday suggested some recipients would receive about 65% of their usual November benefits, while others may get less — revising earlier estimates that officials acknowledged were filled with errors.
• McConnell sharply criticized the administration on Thursday for delaying the release of funds and ordered the USDA to pay November benefits in full by Friday.
• The White House referred Axios' request for comment to the Office of Management and Budget.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information throughout.