States file lawsuit against Trump administration over SNAP funding

More than 20 states have sued the Trump administration, claiming there is enough funding to continue SNAP benefits for millions of low-income Americans.

More than 20 states have sued the Trump administration, claiming there is enough funding to continue SNAP benefits for millions of low-income Americans.

These Democratic-led states are arguing there is enough funding to cover SNAP benefits for more than half *** month. Tuesday's legal filing from attorneys general from 22 states in the District of Columbia plus three governors focuses on the contingency fund with roughly $5 billion in it for SNAP benefits. It also says the federal government could use money from *** separate $23 billion fund as well to cover the costs. Some of the states involved in the suit include California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Maryland. In September, the USDA says the shutdown plan included using $5 billion to continue SNAP funding. However, last week it claimed it couldn't legally use the funds that way. As of today, that $9.2 billion we don't even have close to that in contingency funding. We've got to get this government open. 42 million people are about to go without food, including *** lot of children. In my state it's 650,000 people. I mean that's extraordinary. It's 12% of the American population. 19 Republican state attorneys generals sent *** letter Tuesday to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer arguing the passing of the clean continuing resolution to keep funding for SNAP benefits. Recipients of SNAP say without this assistance they may have to choose between buying food and paying other bills. In Washington, I'm Rachel Herzheimer.

Updated: 6:50 AM CDT Oct 29, 2025

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States file lawsuit against Trump administration over SNAP funding

More than 20 states have sued the Trump administration, claiming there is enough funding to continue SNAP benefits for millions of low-income Americans.

Updated: 6:50 AM CDT Oct 29, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

More than 20 states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that there is sufficient funding to continue SNAP benefits for millions of low-income Americans after the Agriculture Department announced federal aid for food will run out on Friday.Democrat-led states argue there is enough money to cover SNAP benefits for more than half a month. Tuesday's legal filing from attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia, along with three governors, focuses on a contingency fund with roughly $5 billion available for SNAP benefits. The filing also suggests that the federal government could use money from a separate $23 billion fund to cover the costs. States involved in the lawsuit include California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Vermont.In September, the USDA stated that the shutdown plan included using $5 billion to keep SNAP running. However, last week it claimed it couldn't legally use the funds that way."As of today, that $9.2 billion, we don't even have close to that in contingency funding. We've got to get this government open," said Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture."Forty-two million people are about to go without food, including a lot of children. In my state, it's 650,000 people. I mean, that's extraordinary. It's 12% of the American population," said Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri.Nineteen Republican state attorneys general sent a letter Tuesday to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, urging the passing of a "clean continuing resolution" to maintain funding for SNAP benefits.Recipients of SNAP say that without the assistance, they'll be forced to choose between buying food and paying other bills.Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:

WASHINGTON —

have against the Trump administration, arguing that there is sufficient funding to continue SNAP benefits for millions of low-income Americans after the federal aid for food will run out on Friday.

there is enough money to cover SNAP benefits for more than half a month. Tuesday's legal filing from attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia, along with three governors, focuses on a contingency fund with roughly $5 billion available for SNAP benefits.

The filing also suggests that the federal government could use money from a separate $23 billion fund to cover the costs. States involved in the lawsuit include California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Vermont.

In September, the USDA stated that the shutdown plan included using $5 billion to keep SNAP running. However, last week it claimed it couldn't legally use the funds that way.

"As of today, that $9.2 billion, we don't even have close to that in contingency funding. We've got to get this government open," said .

"Forty-two million people are about to go without food, including a lot of children. In my state, it's 650,000 people. I mean, that's extraordinary. It's 12% of the American population," said , a Republican from Missouri.

Nineteen Republican state attorneys general Tuesday to , urging the passing of a "clean continuing resolution" to maintain funding for SNAP benefits.

Recipients of SNAP say that without the assistance, they'll be forced to choose between buying food and paying other bills.

Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:

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