PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop federal officials from suspending food benefits at the end of this month.

Arizona is one of several states taking legal action against the U.S. Department of Agriculture after the federal agency recently announced that debit cards used by SNAP beneficiaries won’t be loaded in November due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The lawsuit argues Congress had appropriated a contingency reserve to keep SNAP benefits funded if a lapse occurs. The shutdown has remained in effect because not enough Democrats in the Senate have approved a spending plan to keep the government operating.

The lawsuit seeks to obtain an injunction that would prevent the federal agency from suspendi

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