WASHINGTON —

A Rhode Island courtroom is hosting a hearing Thursday that could significantly impact SNAP benefits for more than 40 million people, as states and groups challenge the Trump administration's handling of federal food assistance during the government shutdown.

On Monday, the Trump administration announced it will partially fund SNAP for November, following rulings by two judges requiring the government to keep the nation's largest food aid program running. Advertisement

The plaintiffs in this case, set to be heard at 3:30 p.m., argue that the Department of Agriculture should send out full SNAP payments to American families enrolled in the program during the government shutdown and should tap into other funds to cover SNAP benefits.

The court filing states for some

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