When food assistance for millions hung in the balance, New York Attorney General Letitia James made her voice heard loud and clear.
This week, she triumphed in court, securing a ruling that the federal government must tap into contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) running.
In a decisive legal victory, two federal judges found that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to halt benefits starting Nov. 1 was “likely unlawful.”
The rulings ordered the agency to use the $6 billion contingency fund — intended to avert disruptions — and other available resources to ensure no interruption in the lifeline many families depend on.
“Millions of families rely on SNAP or food stamps to survive,” AG James said in her post-ruling statement. “The administration tried to use the shutdown as an excuse to withhold food assistance from vulnerable Americans, but the court has made clear the law requires those benefits to continue. The federal government cannot simply walk away from its obligation to feed the people it serves.”
Why This Matters
SNAP supports about 42 million Americans, including children, seniors, and working families. Under the unresolved government shutdown, the program risked skipping a monthly payment — an unprecedented threat in its 60-plus-year history.
For Black women, who statistically face higher rates of food insecurity, the stakes were profound. When benefits vanish, it’s not just numbers, it means skipped meals, greater stress, drained savings, and families carrying more of the burden.
By stepping into the breach, AG James didn’t just file a lawsuit; she amplified lived reality. She turned a legal fight into a moral call: when systems fail, someone must stand up.
Beyond the Courtroom: Representation in Action
Letitia James has long pushed beyond traditional boundaries of her office, taking on major corporations, championing tenants’ rights, and now defending food-stamped families. She consistently shows that public service isn’t just about policy, it’s about people.
This win matters not just for the rule of law, but for the message it sends: You will not play politics with our plates.
The crucial court victory reminds demonstrates that real justice shows up in kitchen tables, grocery aisles, and late-night worries about how to provide for children. When leadership aligns with the moment, outcomes follow.
What Happens Now
While the court orders remain in effect, how quickly funds will flow remains uncertain. States must still move fast to distribute benefits. Meanwhile, the USDA may appeal, prolonging legal wrangling.
Still, the decision is a significant safeguard. Whatever the politics of the moment, this week’s ruling affirms a core principle: when families rely on aid, law must step in.
