North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson has joined Attorneys General from 22 other states in filing a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
"There are two specific allegations, the violation of the SNAP Act itself, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act," said Jackson during a press conference on Tuesday.
The lawsuit follows the USDA's announcement that it would stop funding SNAP starting Saturday, November 1, citing the ongoing government shutdown. Jackson alleged that the USDA has sufficient funding to continue the program but has chosen not to use it.
"Congress gave (the USDA) a US$6 billion emergency fund to use in situations like this. The truth is the department is choosing not to use the emergency money that they've been given," Jackson said. "If Congress gives the Department money to fund a program, that department cannot refuse to fund that program. That would be the Department effectively overriding Congress, and courts have been very clear that they're not allowed to do that."
More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP, including about 1.4 million people in North Carolina. "We often talk about hunger in terms of numbers, how many people we serve, how many pounds of food we distribute. But behind every number is a person carrying the weight of worry," said Ron Pringle, CEO of Interfaith Food Shuttle.
Existing funds on EBT cards can still be used after November 1, but no new funds will be added. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed NCDHHS to suspend the issuance of November SNAP benefits. Every month, SNAP provides between US$230 million and US$250 million in food benefits in our state," said Jonathan Kappler, Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and Chief of Staff for NCDHHS.
Jackson confirmed that the coalition of states has requested a temporary restraining order. "So in short, we are asking the court to act with emergency speed to meet this emergency," he said.
The suspension of benefits may also impact North Carolina's agricultural sector. "It's actually a really significant part of farmers' market income. Some of our records show that 20% of sales at North Carolina farmers' markets are coming from SNAP/EBT," said Sydney Blume, Board Chair of the North Carolina Farmers Market Network.
The government shutdown has now reached four weeks, driven by disputes over Medicaid cuts and health care tax credit extensions. In a statement, a USDA spokesperson said, "We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. Continue to hold out for the Far-Left wing of the party or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments."
Source: ABC 11
