21 State Attorneys General Sue USDA Over Funding Conditions

A coalition of 21 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit on March 23, 2026, to block the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from imposing new conditions on federal funding. The lawsuit challenges a USDA policy, effective December 31, 2025, that requires states to comply with federal mandates regarding immigration, gender identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and athletic opportunities for women and girls to receive disbursements.

Led by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and officials from California, Illinois, and Massachusetts, the plaintiffs argue that these conditions violate the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. They contend the requirements are vague, coercive, and unrelated to the USDA's purpose, effectively holding billions of dollars in funding for SNAP, WIC, and school lunch programs hostage to further a political agenda.

Parallel to these legal challenges, Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin, signed Act 116 on March 23, which bans SNAP recipients from purchasing candy and soda. This legislation was a compromise to secure over $70 million for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to maintain the program under federal requirements. Simultaneously, the National Center for Law and Economic Justice sued the USDA to stop similar "junk food" purchase waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, arguing that restricting nutrition benefits is unlawful.