In a decisive ruling on Friday, a federal judge halted a Trump‑era effort to lock billions of dollars into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with a slate of new conditions.
The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, granted a preliminary injunction against the Agriculture Department’s proposal that states meet requirements related to “gender ideology,” immigration policies, and fair opportunities for women and girls in athletics before receiving SNAP funds.
The 20 states involved in the lawsuit argue that the conditions create unconstitutional roadblocks, threaten critical nutrition support for about 39 million Americans, and undermine agricultural research and food‑chain security.
Government lawyers contend that the new rules would ensure sound stewardship of taxpayer money and enforce compliance with federal laws and regulations. The judge said he will issue a detailed memorandum explaining his legal reasoning soon.
Experts say the conditions were introduced in a large tax‑cut and spending bill passed over the summer and that they are a major factor behind a decline of nearly 4.3 million SNAP beneficiaries between January 2025 and January 2026.
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