A federal judge’s order to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown has immediate implications for more than 680,000 Oklahomans who rely on the program, according to this week’s Oklahoma Memo conversation with journalist and podcaster Grant Hermes.
The discussion outlined how an initial White House plan for partial SNAP funding would have shifted costs to states, which Hermes noted are not in a position to cover the gap. He framed the current standoff as political, adding that SNAP is mandated by Congress, and the executive branch is obligated to carry out that spending.
The episode also addressed the White House’s air-traffic reduction at 40 major airports, a move that can ripple to Oklahoma City and Tulsa travelers through hub connections. Herms said the timing increases pressure during the holiday season and feeds a broader voter mood, describing the moment this way: “chaos is animating.”
With 2026 campaigns approaching, Hermes argued the political risks extend beyond the White House to members of Congress seeking to distance themselves from shutdown fallout while maintaining party unity.
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