Federal judge strikes down SNAP cuts

News

Federal judge strikes down SNAP cuts

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration rule that would have taken SNAP benefits from almost 700-thousand unemployed Americans.

The judge, in the District of Columbia, called the administration’s plan “arbitrary and capricious” and said the USDA was “icily silent” about how many Americans would have been affected if the changes went through during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rule was finalized last December and Ag Secretary Perdue said it was needed because the economy had improved and it would “restore the dignity of work.”

Nineteen state Attorneys General challenged the rule in January (including Illinois and Minnesota).

Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, chair of the House Ag Subcommittee on Nutrition and Oversight says she’s pleased the District Court “ruled on the side of decency and respect.”

The Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents rule was temporarily blocked March 13th and Congress later suspended SNAP work requirements as part of a coronavirus relief package.

.