Politics & Power

The tension between states and the federal government is heating up — and this time, the battlefront is social programs.

Several governors — both Republican and Democrat — have issued statements or filed legal actions challenging federal directives they say go too far in dictating how states run programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance. The flashpoint? Recent orders tied to “unfettered access” to recipient data and stricter eligibility audits.

State officials argue the mandates not only strain local budgets but also undermine their ability to design programs that fit their populations. Some have accused the administration of using federal funding as leverage to force states into compliance.

The White House, meanwhile, insists the measures are necessary to combat waste, fraud, and abuse — citing billions in improper payments and outdated data-sharing systems.

With lawsuits pending and political stakes high, the outcome of these clashes could reshape the federal-state relationship — and set the tone for how much autonomy states will retain in administering the country’s social safety net.