White House, DOJ Diverge in Supreme Court Benefits Case (1)

The White House expressed public disagreement with a provision in federal law that imposes limits on aid for the poor that the Justice Department plans to defend at the U.S. Supreme Court.

In an unusual statement Monday on a high court matter, the White House explained the divergence of its policy preferences with a section of the Social Security Act that excludes elderly, blind or disabled low income residents of Puerto Rico from receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits.

“This provision is inconsistent with my administration’s policies and values,” President Joe Biden said.

“I believe that Puerto Rico residents should ...