Overview
- U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian issued a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring access to CCDF, TANF and SSBG funds for California, New York, Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado.
- The five states sued after HHS moved this week to pause roughly $10 billion, alleging illegal payments and systemic fraud without presenting state-specific evidence.
- HHS demanded extensive records — including child-care attendance files and recipients’ names and Social Security numbers — with submissions due Jan. 20.
- State officials and providers warned the freeze would trigger immediate cash-flow disruptions, threatening payrolls, child-care slots and services for low-income families.
- The ruling does not decide the policy’s legality, and the administration signaled it may appeal as briefing on a longer injunction proceeds.