Nationwide — A coalition of more than two dozen states is suing the Trump administration for suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the federal government shutdown, marking the first interruption in the program’s 60-year history.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by a group of state attorneys general, aims to restore funding for SNAP, which provides food assistance to over 40 million Americans. The states argue that cutting off the program during the shutdown puts millions of low-income families at risk of going hungry.
According to WLBT, the lawsuit accuses the administration of violating federal law by halting SNAP payments without congressional approval. Attorneys general from Massachusetts, California, New York, and more than 20 other states joined the case.
SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, is one of the nation’s largest anti-hunger programs. It helps families buy groceries through government-funded benefits, especially during economic hardship. Officials say this sudden suspension could leave many without food support for the first time in decades.
The Trump administration has not yet responded to the legal challenge. Meanwhile, state leaders continue to push for emergency measures to ensure that food aid reaches households while the shutdown continues.