SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico enacted legislation Monday to provide state funding for food assistance each week past the end of the year if federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program food aid falters.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales signed the bill as acting governor to ensure delivery of food assistance to EBT cards amid a flurry of legal activity on SNAP distributions to states, and efforts in Washington to bring the longest shutdown in history closer to an end.

The initiative makes up to $20 million available each week if necessary to backfill typical SNAP benefits through mid-January when the Legislature meets again.

President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to keep full payments in the SNAP federal food aid program frozen while the government

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