Washington — The Justice Department on Friday asked the Supreme Court to freeze a lower court order that requires the Trump administration to swiftly provide full federal food benefits to roughly 42 million Americans, turning to the high court for emergency relief shortly after a federal appeals court left the decision in place.

Absent any 11th-hour emergency relief from the Supreme Court, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will have to take steps, for now, to cover in-full payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by the end of the day Friday.

Earlier Friday, the 1st Circuit denied the administration's request for a temporary administrative stay, and said in its brief order that it is still considering the Justice Department's bid for longer relief while it considers t

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