Republican AGs Sue USDA Because Food Assistance Programs Can’t Discriminate Against LGBTQ Recients

July 28, 2022

The Texas Tribune reports:

Ken Paxton and more than 20 other attorneys general are challenging the federal Food and Nutrition Service’s new policy that recipients of food assistance funds update their nondiscrimination policies to protect LGBTQ people.

Paxton and his counterparts claim the guidance issued by the USDA is “unlawful” because states were not consulted and did not have an opportunity to provide feedback, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

They also argue that the USDA is misinterpreting the Supreme Court case Bostock v. Clayton County, which extended sexual discrimination in the workplace to include discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Read the full article.

Texas suing USDA over requirement to add LGBTQ protections to nutrition programs’ nondiscrimination policies

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service announced in May that it would expand its definition of sexual discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Paxton and other attorneys general are suing in response.

BY ARIANA PEREZ-CASTELLS JULY 26, 2022 8 PM CENTRAL

{snip}

Earlier this month, Paxton and others sent a letter to President Joe Biden arguing against the guidance issued by the USDA and asking him to withdraw it.

{snip}