TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – As a potential lapse in funding for SNAP benefits loomed, two federal judges delivered rulings on Friday. One judge declared it illegal to suspend funding for food stamps, while the other instructed the Trump Administration to promptly utilize contingency funds, with a requirement to report back to the judge the following week.

President Trump, addressing the issue on Truth Social, urged government attorneys to seek judicial clarification on how reserve funds could be legally allocated to support SNAP.

On Friday morning, Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins refuted claims that the Trump administration could access reserve funding, emphasizing the falsity of such assertions.

“In the event of a disaster like Hurricane Melissa, we would rely on the contingency fund to channel additional resources to affected communities,” Rollins explained.

Rollins further noted that using these funds to bridge a funding gap due to a lapse is unlawful, adding that the fund lacks the capacity to support millions of Americans in need.

“That contingency fund, by the way, doesn’t even cover half of the $9.2 billion that would be required to cover November SNAP,” Rollins said.

Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis says the senate’s priority should be to reopen the full government. It could help pay federal workers and help the 50,000 people depending on food stamps in Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties.

“People need to eat, seniors, children, our working families in general,” Bilirakis said.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said democrats are not budging on an overall temporary funding measure until their healthcare cost concerns are addressed.

“We are saying no. We are drawing a line in the sand,” Castor said.

Castor has also previously stated the White House has the power to dip into reserve SNAP funding during the shutdown.

St. Pete College Political Science Professor Tara Newsom said families want Capitol Hill to end the lapse in pay and benefits.

“I think a democracy is based on compromise. America wants to see that happen. There’s a way to get to the table if both sides of the aisle roll up their sleeves and get to work,” Newsom said.

GOP leaders are also mostly against overriding the filibuster. It’s a procedure in place that calls for 60 votes to pass most legislation in the U.S. Senate. Republicans fear if they do it, then Democrats will do the same whenever they’re back in the majority.