Democratic governors and attorneys general from 25 US states filed a lawsuit against the administration of US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The action is being taken to challenge the federal government's decision that they do not have the authority to use emergency funds to maintain food assistance for millions of Americans next month.
The officials, including from California, New York and the District of Columbia, announced that they have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for illegally suspending benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts Federal Court, asks a judge to overturn a previous administration order that ordered states to suspend benefits, and to order the USDA to use all available resources to ensure that SNAP benefits can continue in November.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said that millions of Americans are facing hunger because the federal government chose to withhold food assistance that is required by law.
Court documents show that the USDA actually has contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits during funding shortages, but still ordered states to suspend them.
In addition, more than $23 billion in special Section 32 funds could also be used to supplement SNAP assistance, but the USDA has refused to do so.
