A coalition of over two dozen U.S. states filed a lawsuit this week challenging the Trump administration’s impending suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, pointing to a looming funding halt set to begin Nov. 1 amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The states argue that their rights are being violated as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) told them it lacks legal authority to tap into contingency funds to keep the program running, even though a reserve fund of more than $5 billion reportedly exists. They claim the decision puts tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger, especially in the absence of a funding resolution.
The lawsuit was filed by states led by Democratic administrations and targets the USDA, demanding a court order to prevent the benefit cutoff. While the legal action does not guarantee continued payments, it ratchets up pressure on congressional leaders to address funding gaps as the shutdown drags into its fifth week.