States Sue to Block Trump Administration's USDA Funding Restrictions
A coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C. is
suing
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over
new conditions
forcing states to comply with certain policy requirements, or risk losing funding. The states argue the requirements are vague, unlawful and designed to coerce states into adopting federal political positions. A central concern is the potential impact on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with officials warning that critical food assistance funding could be withheld if states do not comply. The lawsuit claims the USDA lacks authority to impose these conditions and is violating both the Constitution and federal administrative law. The coalition is seeking to block enforcement of the rules while the case moves forward.
This case differs from a
separate lawsuit
brought by low-income individuals, which focuses on the direct harm to beneficiaries who rely on nutrition assistance. While that case argues the policies would unlawfully restrict access to benefits for vulnerable people, the states’ lawsuit centers on federal overreach and the coercion of state governments through funding conditions. Read more
here.