(NewsNation) — California, along with several other states, is suing the Trump administration over the decision to suspend food assistance benefits during the goverment shutdown.
The 26 states filing suit have filed an expedited request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the government from keeping November’s payments from going out.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is unlawfully withholding funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown despite there being funds that could be tapped to continue the progam.
He was joined in the announcement by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Health Secretary Kim Johnson.
Bonta accused the administration of failing to use contingency funds to keep benefits going, noting that this is the situation those funds are meant to address.
“The government has an obligation to provide SNAP benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements,” Bonta said.
By not exhausting the billions in contingency funding, Bonta said the Trump administration is illegally shutting down the program.
The lawsuit asks the courts to declare the suspension unlawful and require the USDA to use the funds available to fund SNAP in November.
Bonta also noted the administration has left states scrambling to meet their obligation to provide benefits and left millions of Americans without needed assistance right before Thanksgiving.
“This is a preview of things to come,” Newsom said, referencing cuts to food programs in the Big Beautiful Bill.
Newsom also accused House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., of lying when he said nothing could be done to fund the program during a shutdown.
California is one of several Democrat-run states that have drawn the focus of President Donald Trump, who deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in the summer during immigration protests over the objection of state leaders.
Newsom has openly challenged Trump, pushing back on the president’s narratives about the state and its cities.
Go To Source | Author: Steph Whiteside
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