Judge Halts USDA Threat to Cut SNAP Funding From New York, Blue States
A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from withholding SNAP food-assistance funding from New York and other states after they refused to hand over expanded recipient data. According to Reuters and legal news site Jurist, the judge found the USDA’s threat to cut funding likely violated federal law and could cause irreparable harm if allowed to proceed while the case plays out.
The dispute centers on USDA demands that states submit detailed information on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, including personal data that many states argued they had no legal obligation to provide. Twenty-two Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia sued, seeking to block the agency’s actions.
Judge Maxine Chesney granted a preliminary injunction, preventing the agency from enforcing cuts to SNAP administrative funds while the litigation continues.
The ruling protects SNAP funds for millions of low-income residents in New York and other states for now, but the case is ongoing and subject to appeal.
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