(This story was upated to add new information.)

California has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the loss of SNAP benefits expected in November amid the federal government shutdown.

Gov. Gavin Newsom had warned Californians were likely to have their CalFresh benefits delayed in November due to the shutdown. CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides scores of lower-income Californians with food assistance and is federally funded.

But a highly-partisan announcement — and likely grim news to the millions of Americans nationwide who rely on food assistance — published on the USDA’s website blamed Senate Democrats over SNAP funding amid the shutdown, and that benefits wouldn't be issued next month.

“Bottom line, t

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