6:04Sign for SNAP benefits is displayed on a frozen food aisle door in a New York City grocery store.Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A vital food aid initiative will soon cease for millions of needy Americans, and air traffic controllers will not receive their paychecks this week as the governmental impasse reaches its fourth week — with all eyes fixed on members of Congress to ascertain whether the intensifying strain will suffice to compel them to reach an agreement.
The Agriculture Department issued an announcement on its website indicating that benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will not be dispensed on November 1st due to the continuous government closure, stating that "The resource is depleted."
SNAP, commonly known as "food stamps," aids approximately 42 million Americans with low incomes.
SNAP has generally been funded entirely by the federal government, yet it is managed by states. Therefore, the effect of the shutdown on SNAP and when benefits will begin to diminish will differ depending on the state.
This past weekend, the Trump administration stated it would not provide a financial boost to SNAP funding, attributing the blame for the ongoing shutdown to the Democrats.
Sign for SNAP benefits is displayed on a frozen food aisle door in a New York City grocery store.Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The Trump administration’s stance that it cannot prolong SNAP benefits amidst the shutdown is a deviation from the USDA’s previously stated shutdown strategy from late September, which noted that "Congressional intention suggests that SNAP’s operations should persist given the program’s allocated multi-year contingency funds, enabling States to maintain administrative operations during a Federal Government shutdown."
However, in a recent memo released late last week and obtained by ABC News, the USDA clarified that contingency funds are "only accessible" when SNAP funds have received Congressional approval.
Earlier during the shutdown, the Trump administration shifted other funds to ensure service members were paid — despite claiming it cannot do the equivalent for SNAP funding.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson addresses the government shutdown, now at Day 27, during a press conference at the Capitol in Washington, October 27, 2025.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson contended that the contingency funds intended for SNAP are "not presently legally available" to cover benefits and entreated Democrats to back the clean continuing resolution aimed at reopening the government.
"This is because it represents a restricted pool of funds. These funds were designated by Congress, and reallocating them from other sources would instantly draw funds away from school meals… So, it involves a trade-off," he explained. "A pre-existing appropriation is essential for utilizing the contingency fund."
Airline passengers are also experiencing the consequences of the shutdown.
Over the weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration was compelled to decelerate air traffic in areas like Chicago, Dallas, Southern California, Newark, and other cities due to personnel shortages. Some air traffic controllers called out, with numerous being required to work without pay during the shutdown.
Air traffic controllers will not receive their initial paycheck on Tuesday.
A view of the dome of the U.S. Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. September 19, 2025.Kent Nishimura/Reuters
Another significant deadline looms in connection with health care premiums. Democrats are persistent in their contention concerning healthcare subsidies as the open enrollment date of November 1st draws closer.
As the shutdown persists in affecting Americans and important deadlines approach, all attention remains on Capitol Hill where lawmakers remain locked in a standstill.
On Monday, Johnson criticized Democrats, stating that the administration has functioned "creatively" to mitigate the “suffering felt by Americans.”
"We require five more Democrats in the Senate to act honorably — to become aware and declare, 'I will reject the intense pressure from the far-left Marxists, and I will uphold the interests of the 42 million Americans reliant on this crucial nutrition aid. Or will I allow my constituents to face starvation? Or will I simply satisfy the Marxists?'” Johnson inquired.
President Donald Trump does not appear inclined to negotiate with Democrats either.
ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz questioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday whether Trump should reconvene with Democrats. Bessent seemed to dismiss the notion of him doing so.
“Well, what purpose would it serve, Martha? They are entrenched. The American populace is held captive by Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries' poll performance, as the shift between the present and the past clean, continuing resolution lies in Chuck Schumer's poll numbers having declined. Both of those Brooklyn individuals, as I refer to them, are uneasy about facing primary challenges from the left," Bessent stated.
In the meantime, the president of the nation’s most substantial union representing federal employees is urging legislators to approve a temporary spending measure to put an end to the shutdown.
"The time has arrived to pass a clean continuing resolution and bring an end to this shutdown immediately. No inadequate measures, and no manipulation. Re-employ every federal worker with full back pay — without delay," expressed American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley in a statement.
The AFGE represents over 800,000 federal and D.C. government employees.
"The moment has come for our leaders to refocus on strategies to address challenges confronting the American people, instead of centering on who is to blame for a shutdown that Americans disapprove of," she appended.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
