New York Attorney General Letitia James has responded to a recent federal court decision that temporarily blocks the Trump administration from penalizing states for providing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November. The temporary restraining order prevents the federal government from enforcing actions that would require states to reverse the distribution of these food assistance benefits.
James issued a statement following the ruling: “It should not take a court order to know that feeding kids is the right thing to do, yet the federal government continues its cruel effort to cut off food assistance. Anyone who seeks to punish others for feeding families is not on the right side of history. I am relieved that the courts have once again shut down this administration’s pro-hunger crusade.”
On October 28, Attorney General James joined with 25 other attorneys general and governors in filing a lawsuit aimed at protecting SNAP benefits. Recently, this coalition submitted a motion seeking an immediate court order after the U.S. Department of Agriculture directed states to halt or undo their issuance of full November SNAP benefits and warned of consequences for non-compliance.
The legal challenge comes amid ongoing disputes over federal nutrition assistance policy and its impact on vulnerable populations.
