Summary
A federal judge stopped a plan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make people in Colorado reapply for SNAP benefits under a new initiative. The judge said this plan broke federal laws and the Constitution and could harm people relying on these benefits.
Key Facts
- A federal judge blocked an order from the USDA regarding SNAP benefits in Colorado.
- The judge said the USDA's plan violated federal law and the Constitution.
- The USDA wanted Colorado to adopt a SNAP recertification trial project.
- The plan would have required 106,500 households in five counties to reapply in 30 days.
- Colorado typically renews SNAP benefits every six months, more often than the required 12 months.
- The initiative could have led to households losing benefits and millions in funding being withheld if Colorado didn't comply.
- The judge argued that the Agriculture Secretary didn't have the power to enforce this pilot project.
