Up First from NPR SNAP Benefits Shutdown, Trump In Japan, Hurricane Melissa
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Oct 28, 2025 
Stephen Fowler, an NPR reporter focusing on federal nutrition programs, discusses the impending SNAP benefits expiration, affecting over 40 million Americans. Deepa Shivaram, White House correspondent, shares insights about President Trump's visit to Japan, highlighting a pivotal trade deal on rare earth minerals. Eder Peralta reports on Hurricane Melissa, detailing its catastrophic winds and the potential impact on Jamaica and nearby islands, along with concerns about preparedness and evacuations.
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SNAP Reaches Millions Vulnerable To Shutdown
- SNAP serves one in eight Americans, including many children, seniors, and low-income workers.
- The USDA says funding ran out because Congress did not pass appropriations for the fiscal year.
Mandate Versus Appropriation Gap
- SNAP is legally mandated but financed through annual appropriations that weren't passed.
- Without a valid treasury account for this fiscal year, the program currently has no money to disburse.
Contingency Funds Are Contested
- Some budget experts say nearly $6 billion in contingency accounts could cover SNAP temporarily.
- The Trump administration's legal interpretation says those emergency funds can't be used without regular appropriations.