PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION RETURNED TO THE SUPREME COURT ON MONDAY IN A PUSH TO KEEP FULL PAYMENTS IN THE SNAP FOOD AID PROGRAM FROZEN WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS SHUT DOWN.

LOWER COURTS HAVE RULED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST KEEP FULL PAYMENTS FLOWING, AND THE SUPREME COURT ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO RESPOND AFTER AN APPEALS COURT RULED AGAINST IT AGAIN LATE SUNDAY.

TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION HAS ARGUED THAT THE JUDICIAL ORDER TO PROVIDE FULL BENEFITS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION BY INFRINGING ON THE SPENDING POWER OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES.

STATES ADMINISTERING SNAP PAYMENTS CONTINUE TO FACE UNCERTAINTY OVER WHETHER THEY CAN — AND SHOULD — PROVIDE FULL MONTHLY BENEFITS DURING THE ONGOING LEGAL BATTLES.

OVER THE WEEKEND, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEMANDED THAT STATES “UNDO” FULL BENEFITS THAT WERE PAID OUT DURING A ONE-DAY WINDOW BETWEEN WHEN A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED FULL FUNDING AND A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE PUT A TEMPORARY PAUSE ON THAT ORDER.

SOME STATES ARE WARNING OF “CATASTROPHIC OPERATIONAL DISRUPTIONS” IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T REIMBURSE THEM FOR THOSE SNAP BENEFITS THEY ALREADY AUTHORIZED.

IT'S THE LATEST IN A LEGAL FIGHT OVER HOW THE PROGRAM THAT HELPS 42 MILLION AMERICANS BUY GROCERIES SHOULD PROCEED DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.