美国政府因数据纠纷威胁切断多州食品救济金拨款

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stop federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Democratic-led states that fail to provide beneficiary data by the deadline of December 8, 2023, as this data is crucial to combat fraud in the program [1][3]. Group 1: USDA Actions and Requirements - USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that funding will be halted for states that do not comply with the request for beneficiary information, which is essential for eliminating fraud in the program [3]. - The USDA sent a letter to states last week, emphasizing the importance of submitting the required data by the final deadline of December 8 [3]. Group 2: Impact on Beneficiaries and Legal Challenges - SNAP is a vital part of the U.S. social safety net, serving approximately 42 million people, which is about one-eighth of the U.S. population, with most beneficiaries living below the poverty line [5]. - Over 20 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against the USDA, claiming that the data request violates beneficiaries' privacy rights [5]. - A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary injunction in October, preventing the USDA from cutting off funding due to states' failure to submit data [5]. Group 3: Reactions from State Officials - Officials from Democratic-led states, including Minnesota, have criticized the USDA's threat to cut funding, especially in light of the federal court's ruling against such actions [7].