Stepping into the fray over food benefits, New York Attorney General Letitia James, backed by a coalition of 24 other state leaders and the District of Columbia, has moved to sue the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They claim the federal agency illegally halted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amidst an ongoing government shutdown, according to a press release on the Office of the New York State Attorney General website. The suit emphasizes that more than 40 million Americans, which include nearly three million New Yorkers, could face hunger in light of this decision.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, James stated, "Millions of Americans are about to go hungry because the federal government has chosen to withhold food assistance it is legally obligated to provide," as mentioned on the Office of the New York State Attorney General website. This admonishment comes alongside a reminder of the USDA's existing billions in contingency funding. These funds, specifically allocated for situations like these, have historically ensured the continuity of SNAP benefits during previous lapses in government appropriations. Now, SNAP, a program on which nearly 60% of its beneficiaries are children and seniors, faces an unprecedented pause in its 60-year legacy.
Further outlining the stakes, the coalition has noted that despite the USDA's initial assurance to tap into contingency funds, they instructed states to hold off on November payments. Subsequently, a formal order on October 24 to suspend SNAP benefits effective November 1 was issued, as reported on the attorney general's website. It marks a disruptive shift from prior government shutdowns where SNAP operations continued unabated using backup financial resources.
Alleging a violation the Food and Nutrition Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, Attorney General James and the coalition demand immediate judicial intervention. They seek to procure a temporary restraining order mandating the USDA to utilize available contingency funds for November SNAP benefits in all plaintiff states. The Food and Nutrition Act requires that assistance be furnished to all qualifying households, and the coalition underscore the current administration's refusal as both needless and avoidable given available funds.
Attorneys general from states across the nation, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and others, have joined the New York Attorney General alongside the governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. The group has collectively stood by the argument that with $6 billion in reserves earmarked for such emergencies, the USDA's current stance endangers millions and intensifies food insecurity across the country.
