Several state attorneys general are in court Monday, arguing against the USDA’s most recent guidance on SNAP funding benefits.
Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP by Friday, prompting several states, including California, to begin issuing benefits.
Friday, the USDA indicated it was following the order, saying, in part, it would complete the processes necessary to make funds available.
On Saturday, however, the department told states not to distribute benefits and to immediately undo any steps taken to issue SNAP benefits for November.
“USDA doesn’t have the right to force us to undo actions we took based on its own direction and a court order. USDA never told us not to take the reasonable steps we took to do our part to make sure that benefits flow to people who need them promptly,” argued California Attorney General Rob Bonta Monday.
In response to Saturday’s guidance, a group of attorneys general — including Bonta — filed a further motion for a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. It is being heard by a federal judge in Boston on Monday.
Action News asked Congressman David Valadao his position on the USDA’s recent guidance and Monday’s court hearing. He responded in a statement:
“Over 200,000 of my constituents in CA-22 receive SNAP to help put food on their tables, and due to the government shutdown, those funds were unfortunately paused… While most Senate Democrats were willing to risk food insecurity for vulnerable families just to play politics, I’m grateful eight voted on a deal to reopen the government so those benefits can start going out again.”