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What Does the USDA Lawsuit Mean for WIC Participants and Staff?
You might have heard news that Washington State is taking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to court to protect programs the state runs that the USDA pays for, like WIC. Why is this happening? What does it mean for people?
The Washington State Attorney General’s office explained the situation in a news release. They said that Attorney General Nick Brown and 20 other states are suing the agency to protect people who rely on these food programs. They believe the government is trying to add unfair and illegal rules to the money these programs receive.
Background:
Starting at the end of 2025, the USDA added new rules for its funding. These rules require states to follow certain policies about gender, diversity, and immigration. If states do not follow these new rules, the government could stop giving them billions of dollars. This money pays for the school lunch program, WIC, SNAP, the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Volunteer Fire Capacity Program.
The Lawsuit:
Attorney General Brown and the other states say the USDA didn't give enough details about these new rules. This makes it hard for states to know exactly what they need to do. They argue that the USDA is being unfair and is acting outside of its power. You can read the full legal complaint here.
Here are the state’s main points in the lawsuit:
- The USDA added rules without giving states a clear warning (violating the Spending Clause).
- The new requirements are confusing and go against the law (specifically the Administrative Procedure Act).
- The USDA doesn't have the authority to set these types of rules.
The lawsuit asks the court to stop these new rules. This would make sure that these important programs continue to run without any problems.
Is there any impact on WIC participants or Staff?
No. For now, there are no changes or actions that can be taken, while the court decides. As of the date of writing (3/25/26), the hearing date has not yet been set.
