Gov. Kelly sues Trump Administration for suspension of SNAP benefits

KANSAS (KSNT) – Governor Laura Kelly is joining a coalition of attorneys generals and governors in suing federal officials for suspending benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Kelly announced in a press release on Oct. 28 that she is joining the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins for what she said is the unlawful suspension of SNAP amid the government shutdown.

“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,” Kelly said. “Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”

Governor Kelly also claims that the USDA has access to billions in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress. The department has funded other programs with emergency funds during the shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP. Kelly believes the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial program.

The lapse in SNAP benefits are predicted to have large consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the county, and nearly 188,000 people in Kansas. Typically, $34.4 million would be distributed to Kansas households but, if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits.

Kelly is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in the lawsuit.

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