Press Releases

Santa Fe, NM – Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) issued the following statement after two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration has legal authority and an obligation to use billions in contingency funds to pay out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to tens of millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown:

“It shouldn’t take a court ruling for the Trump administration to agree to use money that is available to feed Americans in need. Trump tried to use hunger as a political weapon — to punish veterans, seniors, women, and children who rely on SNAP to put food on the table. But today, the courts made clear that starving Americans is not just immoral — it’s illegal,” said Leger Fernández.

“There is $5 billion sitting in USDA’s account right now that can be used to feed families, and according to Congressional appropriators, another $30 billion that can be transferred later this month. The judges ordered what Trump refused to do: spend the money that’s already there so no one goes hungry,” she continued.

“Republicans in Congress refused to stand up to Trump even though the majority of SNAP beneficiaries live in Republican districts.  Thank heaven Democratic states and the courts are standing up for the people. These rulings are a victory for the 42 million Americans who depend on SNAP to eat,” she concluded.

A Federal judge in Rhode Island ruled Friday that USDA must distribute its $5 billion contingency fund to help cover November SNAP benefits for tens of millions of Americans affected by the month-long Trump government shutdown. The $5 billion was allocated by Congress in the 2024 budget and is available through September 30, 2026 for use to fulfill SNAP obligations. The Federal judge in Massachusetts affirmed the administration has the authority to use other USDA contingency funds to ensure full benefits.

In New Mexico, over 459,000 residents — about one in five people — rely on SNAP to put food on the table. The state had already stepped in with $30 million in emergency funds to keep benefits flowing for about ten days. Thanks to this state funding, New Mexicans should not expect any delays on their SNAP benefits. 

“New Mexico refuses to let our families go hungry,” Leger Fernández added. “But the federal government shouldn’t force states to raid their own budgets just to make sure there is no lapse in funding. Trump needs to end this cruel shutdown, fund the programs that keep our families fed and fix the health care crisis, now.”

“This battle over SNAP benefits highlights that Trump and Republicans don’t care about the needs of our working families. Remember, Trump sent $40 billion as a bailout to Argentina which is more than what is needed to pay for a year’s worth of ACA health care premium tax credits plus the SNAP benefits through the end of the year,” Leger Fernández concluded. 

The Congresswoman has cosponsored legislation to prevent future food insecurity during shutdowns, including H.R. 2016 the Feed Our Families Act and H.R. 5860, the SNAP Back Act, to guarantee uninterrupted SNAP benefits. The legislation also requires the reimbursement of states for funds they may use to backfill federal delays, and she will continue to advocate for such reimbursement. 

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