Bessent Says SNAP Relief Could Arrive By Wednesday, Blames Democrats

This piece explains the SNAP benefit situation amid the ongoing government shutdown, recounts recent court orders and White House comments, highlights Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s latest remarks about potential timing for payments, and lays out the political blame being directed at Senate Democrats for refusing to fund the government.

Sunday marked day 32 of the shutdown and the second day without funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a program relied on by millions of Americans. Two federal judges issued orders tied to contingency funding, creating conflicting judicial guidance about whether the administration can use available funds to pay benefits. That legal uncertainty has left families and states scrambling as benefit deadlines passed.

President Trump took to social media to note the legal complexity and to call out Democrats for refusing to reopen the government. His post said the administration’s lawyers had concerns about the legal authority to use certain monies to pay SNAP, and he insisted he did not want Americans to go hungry because Democrats would not act. The administration is navigating competing court rulings while trying to protect benefits without violating appropriations law.

“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump posted on Truth Social Friday evening.

“I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” he continued.

On Saturday, Rhode Island District Court Judge John McConnell gave the administration two clear options: provide full payments by Monday or partial payments by Wednesday. That deadline put new pressure on Treasury officials to find a lawful path to deliver benefits quickly, while Republicans accused Democrats of playing political games. The conflicting judicial orders increased the urgency for an administrative decision.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN’s State of the Union that SNAP benefits “could be” funded by Wednesday, emphasizing there is a process to follow. He made it plain that the easiest way to end the uncertainty would be for five Democratic senators to cross the aisle and vote to reopen the government. Bessent stressed the president’s desire to see food benefits restored for those who need them.

TAPPER: Is the administration going to appeal by the judge [McConnell]? Because the court’s have weighed in.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on if the Trump Administration will use emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits.

BESSENT: "There's a process that has to be followed. So, we got to figure out what the process is. President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food… pic.twitter.com/MpyTqQBktq

— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) November 2, 2025

BESSENT: No, but there’s a process that has to be followed. So, we got to figure out what the process is. President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits.

TAPPER: So it could be done by Wednesday?

BESSENT: Could be. And five Democratic senators could cross the aisle and open the government by Wednesday.

Senate Republicans have repeatedly moved to fund SNAP, voting to do so 14 times, while Democrats have declined the same 14 times, according to Republican statements. That partisan tally is now central to the public argument over who is responsible for the lapse in benefits. Republicans say these votes prove they prioritized SNAP, while Democrats argue the shutdown is over broader policy disagreements.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a morning show that Democrats are to blame for the shutdown and its consequences, calling their actions extreme and harmful to everyday Americans. She highlighted ripple effects: unpaid federal workers, air traffic controller shortages and disrupted services, in addition to SNAP expiring. The administration framed the issue as preventable if Democrats would simply reopen the government.

Some Republicans are betting political calculations are driving the delay, suggesting Democrats may hold off until after local elections in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City to avoid appearing to concede. Senator Markwayne Mullin predicted Democrats want to wait so their base still turns out, saying the government might reopen next Wednesday or shortly after. That theory ties the shutdown strategy directly to short-term electoral concerns.

An editor’s note in the original reporting called the shutdown the responsibility of Senate Democrats and criticized the choice to prioritize other policy aims over funding. The political fight has left states and families awaiting clarity on benefits and forced officials to weigh legal risk against urgent need. Until a final decision is made or the Senate acts, the timing and size of SNAP payments will remain uncertain.