More than twenty-four states, including Arizona, California, and Massachusetts, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for refusing to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown.
These states are asking a federal judge to compel the government to use emergency reserve funds to prevent the interruption of food assistance, which affects approximately 42 million people. Although SNAP has a considerable reserve, the Trump administration has refused to extend the funding delay, despite suggestions from Congress.
Officials from the involved states criticize this decision, arguing that the government has a legal obligation to maintain benefits.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized the importance of SNAP in combating hunger. The White House and the Department of Agriculture have not commented on the situation.
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