Judge: Feds must continue funding child care subsidies in California, 4 other states for now

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this month that it was pausing the funding because it had reason to believe the states were granting benefits to people in the country illegally, though it did not provide evidence or explain why it was targeting those states and not others. The states say the move was instead intended to damage Trump's political adversaries."

"The ruling Friday from U.S. District Judge Vernon Broderick extends by two weeks a temporary one issued earlier this month that blocked the federal government from holding back the money from California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. That expires Friday. The judge said he'd decide later whether the money is to remain in place while a challenge to cutting it off works its way through the courts."

"It also began requesting all states to explain how they're using money in the child care program. The programs are the Child Care and Development Fund, which subsidizes child care for 1.3 million children from low-income families nationwide; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which provides cash assistance and job training; and the Social Services Block Grant, a smaller fund that provides money for a variety of programs."

A federal judge extended a temporary order requiring the Trump administration to keep federal funds flowing to child care subsidies and other social services in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York for two more weeks. The extension continues a restraining order blocking the administration from withholding funds unless the states provide beneficiary information. The Department of Health and Human Services said it paused funding over concerns states granted benefits to people in the country illegally but did not present evidence or explain selective targeting. The states contend the action was politically motivated. The administration also sought information from all states about child care spending and placed additional hurdles on Minnesota.

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