WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) filed an amicus brief in support of a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges the administration’s decision to cut billions of dollars in funding for key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The lawsuit, New Jersey et al. v. Vought et al., argues that the administration misused a federal rule—2 C.F.R. § 200.340(a)(4)—to cancel programs it claims “no longer match the agency’s priorities.”

Fetterman and Houlahan’s filing says this move is unconstitutional. By leaning on a little-known regulation, the administration is trying to overrule laws passed by Congress—hurting farmers, food banks, and rural communities in Pennsylvania and across the country. The Constitution makes clear that only Congress has the power to pass laws and decide how federal money is spent. Courts have long held that agencies cannot ignore laws or funding decisions approved by Congress.

“Farmers in Pennsylvania and across the country plan their seasons and run their businesses around these programs. Pulling the rug out from under them isn’t just wrong, it’s destructive,” said Senator Fetterman. “It tells every farmer, food bank, and rural community that the federal government can’t be trusted as a reliable partner. I won’t stand for that.”

“These programs are a vital lifeline both for farmers and for hungry families. The Trump Administration’s reckless decision to walk away from the commitments it made through these programs is simply cruel”, said Congresswoman Houlahan. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Pennsylvania delegation who are standing up against the administration’s illegal actions.”

To illustrate the real-world harm these cuts are causing, the brief points to the termination of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), which had supported farmers and food banks across Pennsylvania. The loss of the LFPA program severed vital local partnerships, such as the one between Pleasant Lane Farms, a veteran-owned business in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the Westmoreland Food Bank—hurting both local producers and food-insecure families.

Senator Fetterman and Representative Houlahan have been strong advocates for the LFPA and other USDA initiatives that fight food insecurity, support small farmers, and sustain rural communities. Senator Fetterman is deeply committed to protecting Congress’s constitutional authority over legislation and appropriations. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and an unwavering advocate for America’s farmers, he has consistently championed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiatives that fight food insecurity and strengthen small farmers and rural communities. Senator Fetterman’s engagement in this case stems from the plaintiffs’ challenge to the defendants’ decision to terminate USDA programs that he has long worked to support.

In addition to Senator Fetterman and Representative Houlahan, the brief is signed by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture; Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5); Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17); Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3); Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA); Senator Peter Welch (D-VT); Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ); Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4); and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) stands in strong agreement with the Amici filing this brief. The harm initiated by these unlawful terminations has pushed countless farmers, ranchers, and communities to the brink. That harm is felt immediately by the farmers who hired staff, expanded production, and made equipment and infrastructure upgrades under the expectation that USDA would honor its word, “ said Sophia Kruszewski, Deputy Policy Director National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). “Without court intervention preventing further use of section 200.340(a)(4) in a manner inconsistent with Congressional directive, the agriculture community’s trust in USDA as a reliable business partner will continue to erode,  further destabilizing the work of the Department and the communities it was created to serve.”

“LFPA was very successful in Pennsylvania, and losing the program hurt small family farms and food-insecure neighbors who rely on food banks for local, healthy foods across the Commonwealth,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. “We look forward to working with legislative leaders in both chambers to find ways to restore effective agricultural programs that strengthen the connection between farms, food banks, and families.”

“LFPA played a vital role in supporting Chester County’s local agricultural economy. Through the course of program, the Chester County Food Bank received $550,156.42 which were funds that went directly towards purchasing fresh dairy from Seven Stars Farm in Chester County and protein from local producers,” said Nick Imbesi Director of Community Relations. “With the loss of funding, CCFB had to stop purchasing from our local protein partners. We’ve stretched our own dollars to continue working with Seven Stars Farm, but the impact is real. Chester County Food Bank partners with local farmers whenever possible, and LFPA was a real lifeline to build, support, and maintain these partnerships to increase access to local food.”

The full brief can be found here.