PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon and Washington are among nearly two dozen states suing the Trump administration for suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November, a move the attorneys general say is illegal.

The lawsuit, filed against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Secretary Brooke Rollins, claims the agency is withholding funds that could keep the program running despite the ongoing government shutdown.

According to the USDA, there is insufficient funding for the program to continue past Nov. 1.

But Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the USDA has access to billions of dollars in specific contingency funds that are meant to be used in these circumstances, but the agency refuses to use them.

“This isn’t complicated – people need to eat,” AG Rayfield said. “If these benefits stop, thousands of Oregonians will be left wondering how to put food on the table. The USDA has the authority and the money to keep SNAP running, and refusing to do so is both illegal and deeply cruel.”

The lawsuit alleges that suspending these benefits is against the law and goes against the Administrative Procedure Act, which states that the USDA does not have the authority to stop benefits without the say of Congress. 

Congress has said that food benefits should continue despite the shutdown.

AG Rayfield said the coalition plans to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Tuesday, asking the court to turn these benefits back on immediately.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

Aimee Plante

Source link