• 25 states and D.C. sue Trump administration over SNAP benefits suspension.
• The government shutdown risks food aid to over 40 million Americans.
• The USDA claims it cannot use contingency funds due to legal restrictions.

A coalition of Democratic-led states, including 25 states and the District of Columbia, has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which is set to begin on November 1 amid a prolonged government shutdown. The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts federal court, argues the administration must utilize approximately $6 billion in contingency funds for food assistance, as asserted by Democratic officials from states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts, who are deeply concerned about the implications of potential food insecurity affecting more than 40 million Americans nationwide, according to Reuters, The Hill, CBS News, and BBC.

The states participating in the lawsuit, which includes prominent names like New York and California, have pointed out that while it may not cover the entire estimated $8 billion needed for November benefits, the emergency funds could alleviate some financial pressure on families reliant on SNAP. Critics of the USDA’s decision argue that it unlawfully denies eligible households their necessary food assistance. "The agency cannot simply suspend all benefits indefinitely while refusing to spend funds from available appropriations for SNAP benefits for eligible households," the lawsuit claims, as reported by The Hill, CBS News, and Reuters.

The USDA has justified its decision not to tap into the contingency funds by stating that these funds are intended for emergencies such as natural disasters, thus placing blame on Congress for failing to reach a funding agreement. The department noted, "Bottom line, the well has run dry," which illustrates the agency's reluctance to alter its funding strategy during the deadlock in Washington, D.C., as highlighted by BBC, The Hill, and CBS News.

This ongoing situation underlines the significant public health concerns tied to the potential cutoff of SNAP benefits, with state officials warning of the adverse impact on health outcomes among low-income families. "Shutting off SNAP benefits will cause deterioration of public health and well-being," the lawsuit emphasizes, citing risks of increased food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable populations, according to The Hill, Reuters, and CBS News.