Story perspectives

Judge Blocks SNAP Soda, Candy Waivers in Five States

6/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Judge Amy Berman Jackson blocked USDA SNAP restrictions in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia.
The states asked USDA between April and August 2025 to waive the definition of “food” to exclude soda and candy.
Secretary Brooke Rollins signed the waivers after USDA had already approved similar limits in 23 states.
Five SNAP recipients, represented by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, argued the waivers threatened assistance.

History

Historical Context

President Bill Clinton’s 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act replaced AFDC with TANF and cut SNAP funding by $5 billion, reducing benefits for about 2 million households while giving states broad discretion over program definitions. Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s 2024 injunction against USDA waivers that let Colorado and Tennessee exclude soda revives the historic clash over federal versus state control of nutrition assistance.

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Story summary

Judge Amy Berman Jackson blocked USDA SNAP restrictions in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia.
The states asked USDA between April and August 2025 to waive the definition of “food” to exclude soda and candy.
Secretary Brooke Rollins signed the waivers after USDA had already approved similar limits in 23 states.
Five SNAP recipients, represented by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, argued the waivers threatened assistance.

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