Capitol News

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a group of 22 other attorneys general and three governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Secretary Brooke Rollins. The lawsuit challenges the USDA's decision to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The new federal fiscal year began on October 1, 2025, without a congressional appropriation, resulting in a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA informed state SNAP agencies that there would not be enough funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for about 42 million Americans if the shutdown continued.

According to the coalition, despite claims of insufficient funds, the USDA has access to billions in contingency funds specifically set aside by Congress for SNAP. While emergency funds have been used for other programs during this shutdown, the agency has stated it will not use these reserves for SNAP as of November 1. This decision could leave millions without assistance to purchase food.

"Emergency funding exists for exactly this kind of crisis," Nessel said. "If the reality of 42 million Americans going hungry, including 1.4 million Michiganders, isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is. It is cruel, inhumane, and illegal to hold back emergency reserves while families struggle to put food on the table. I want to be clear: this is a choice the Trump Administration is making, but I will continue doing everything in my power to ensure the federal government does not turn its back on the people it is meant to serve."

Officials warn that any interruption in SNAP benefits could impact health and well-being nationwide and increase pressure on state governments and local organizations as more families seek help from already strained food pantries and services. Schools and colleges may also see increased food insecurity among students if benefits are suspended. The economic effect could extend further; USDA estimates indicate that each dollar spent through SNAP generates $1.54 in economic activity.

In Michigan alone, nearly 13% of households—about 1.4 million residents—rely on SNAP benefits. Of these recipients, around 43% are families with children and about one-third include older adults or people with disabilities; approximately 40,000 veterans also depend on these benefits within Michigan.

States manage their own administration of SNAP but rely on federal funding levels set by Washington each month. The lawsuit argues that suspending benefits violates established law and exceeds USDA authority under administrative rules since Congress intended for such support to continue even during government shutdowns.

The coalition plans to file a motion seeking an immediate court order restoring benefit payments while legal proceedings continue.

Michigan residents who have questions about their benefits are advised to contact their local Michigan Department of Health & Human Services office or check MI Bridges online for updates. Additional resources can be found by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting Find Help - Michigan 2-1-1 for information about local programs and support services; those looking for nearby food banks can visit Food Bank Council of Michigan’s website.

Attorney General Nessel will hold a press conference tomorrow in Lansing regarding this legal action and plans visits to several food banks across Michigan throughout the week.

Other states joining this lawsuit include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin as well as governors from Kansas Kentucky Pennsylvania.