WASHINGTON — The Trump administration will use billions in congressional contingency funds to pay 50% of November's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as the government shutdown continues, according to a court filing made Monday. The SNAP program, which provides food stamps, serves approximately 42 million Americans.

In the filing with U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell in Rhode Island, the administration formally rejected the judge’s suggestion to fully fund the month's benefits by tapping at least $4 billion from the Child Nutrition Program and other reserves, CNBC reported.

Contingency Funds Tapped

Instead of using other reserve accounts, the administration chose to use the entire $4.65 billion remaining in a SNAP contingency fund appropriated by Congress. The

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