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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. The government's anti-hunger program known as SNAP is on hold as 42 million Americans have not received their federal assistance to buy groceries. This comes despite two federal judges ruling Friday the funds must be dispersed. President Trump Friday said he's open to keeping SNAP running, but it's not clear when that could happen.
Chapter 2: What is the status of the SNAP program and its impact on Americans?
NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.
The administration pointed out that, look, Congress did not pass a budget before this shutdown happened, so there was not enough money for SNAP. There was really no money allocated for the agency that oversees it. And they argued on top of that that they did not have legal authority to tap contingency funds anymore. saying those are meant for things like natural disasters.
Now, two judges yesterday rejected that. They said Congress did provide more than $5 billion in emergency funds for exactly this kind of situation, and the administration not only can use that money, it must.
Across the country, Saturday long lines formed at food pantries as community organizations try to make up some of the slack because of the snap delay. The government shutdown also impacted a program that helps millions of households pay their home heating bills. In normal years, billions of dollars are dispersed to the states by October or November. The benefits should kick in today.
It's unclear when they will become available. From Member Station WBUR, Miriam Wasser reports.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. better known as LIHEAP, helps more than 6 million households in the country. But this year, with no federal spending bill in place, states are entering the winter heating season without new funding. Mark Wolf leads the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, a group that represents state agencies that administer LIHEAP.
People won't turn on their furnace. They'll be afraid of the bill. This has happened before. People die. They go to hospitals. These programs not only help people pay their bills, but it helps them thrive.
Wolf says some states have a little money left over from last year, but it's not enough to help everyone. For NPR News, I'm Miriam Wasser in Boston.
Candidates are making their closing arguments in New York City's fierce mayoral race this weekend, with former Governor Andrew Cuomo facing accusations he's turned the race negative.
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