Government shutdown latest; USDA warns that SNAP benefits are at risk next month

The government shutdown has stretched into a new week, and little headway is expected over the next few days as President Donald Trump meets with foreign leaders on a nearly week-long trip.

The president will swing through Malaysia, Japan and South Korea before heading home Thursday. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Congress remain locked in a bitter stalemate over health care policy with no indications of a breakthrough. The government's doors have been closed since Oct. 1, and workers continue to miss paychecks, flights are increasingly delayed and lower-income families are threatened with losing food assistance.

It's now the second longest shutdown in history, and risks becoming the longest if it lasts until Election Day on Nov. 4. The longest shutdown ever lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019, during Trump’s first term.

More than 700,000 federal workers have been furloughed, while nearly as many workers are working without pay. Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.

SNAP benefits won't go out Nov. 1, USDA says

The 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will go without their benefits come Nov. 1 because of the ongoing government shutdown, according to a new message from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food.

In recent weeks, the USDA – which oversees the program – warned that SNAP funds for November could be in jeopardy if the shutdown continues. But in a prominent new message on its website as of Oct. 27, USDA said no benefits will be issued on Nov. 1. Read more.

Are Medicare and Medicaid impacted by the shutdown?

If you have Medicare or Medicaid, you should still be able to see your doctor as the shutdown continues.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will continue operations during the shutdown, the agency said, adding that it has funding for Medicaid through the end of this year.

However, other issues could surface as the shutdown drags on. 

Experts warn that doctors, hospitals and other health providers could see delays in Medicare and Medicaid payments during a longer-term shutdown.

Flight delays worsen as shutdown and Hurricane Melissa hit travel

It could be a rough week for air travel as the partial government shutdown nears the one-month mark, air traffic controllers miss their first full paychecks, and Hurricane Melissa causes disruptions.  

The Federal Aviation Administration said staffing shortages prompted a nearly two-hour ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, Oct. 26.

And the FAA’s National Airspace System Status webpage is already forecasting possible ground stops or delays at Boston Logan International Airport, Denver International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport for Monday, Oct. 27. 

However, safety remains the top priority for the entire aviation industry. 

“If I don’t feel like I have enough controllers or enough controllers that are focused, we will slow down traffic. We will stop traffic and that’s why you see the delays in the system,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox in an interview on Sunday, urging consumers to contact their lawmakers if they are frustrated. 

Will I still receive my Social Security check?

Yes, Social Security payments, including Supplemental Security Income and benefits for retirement, disability and survivors, continue during a government shutdown.

Because Social Security benefit programs are considered mandatory spending by law, they are not impacted by the lapse in funding appropriations. Payments are still distributed on a regular schedule during the shutdown.

Social Security offices are still open during the shutdown, but only some services are available.

States issue warning about heating concerns

Winter is certainly coming, but there's no clear path yet to ending the government shutdown. In the meantime, states are sending out an SOS to keep millions of Americans from freezing soon.

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association, representing state directors of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, said last week it's urging electric and gas utilities nationwide to immediately suspend service disconnections for nonpayment until federal LIHEAP funds are released and households regain access to financial assistance.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1 and is on pace to become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, has delayed the release of energy aid, leaving some of the nation’s poorest families without the support they rely on to heat their homes as colder weather approaches, NEADA said. At the same time, electricity and natural gas prices have risen sharply, placing additional strain on already stretched household budgets, it said.

"The situation is really grim regarding (rising energy) pricing and availability of LIHEAP funds," said Mark Wolfe, NEADA's executive director. "Even if all goes well now, the earliest we will see funds will be December."

About 21 million households, or one in six, are behind on their energy bills, NEADA data showed. Since Dec. 31, 2023, household energy averages have risen by about 31%, from approximately $17.5 billion to $23.0 billion by June 30, 2025.

– Medora Lee

Senate to hold votes – but not to end the shutdown

The Senate will hold votes on Monday evening to confirm two judicial nominees.

But one vote not on the schedule? A vote on the short-term funding measure to end the government shutdown.

The funding bill, which was passed by the House, has failed 12 times in the Senate.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirming a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit in Wisconsin and a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.

Small businesses losing out on loans due to government shutdown, SBA says

Local and small businesses are in jeopardy if the government shutdown continues, GOP lawmakers and Trump administration officials said Monday.

Hundreds of local businesses across the country have not been able to access millions of dollars for hiring and expansion amid the government shutdown, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler said.

Loeffler’s comments were made at a daily news conference held by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders on the impacts of the government shutdown. 

At least 320 local businesses cannot access $170 million in SBA loans for hiring and expansion as the shutdown hits 27 days, Loeffler said,

“Prior to the Democrat shutdown, the data was very clear. Small business optimism was at seven-year highs,” she said. “But today... Senate Democrats have intentionally put that momentum at risk."

Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill remain divided on ending the shutdown as Democrats are pushing to ensure tax breaks for 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Republicans and Trump have said they are open to considering a fix for the expiring ACA tax breaks, but want the issue addressed separately from the shutdown debate.

Rep. Roger Williams, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, said he’s worried that businesses will not be able to meet payroll or will not be able to restock inventory if businesses can’t access loans from the SBA.

“This shutdown must end immediately to save small business, to save consumers, to save Main Street America,” Williams said.

Union calls for government funding bill without health insurance subsidies

A union representing more than 800,000 federal workers is calling on lawmakers to end the government shutdown by passing legislation pushed by the GOP that doesn’t include an extension of health care subsidies demanded by Democrats.

The statement by American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley puts pressure on Democrats to join in approving a so-called “clean” government funding bill without the health care policy changes the party wants.

“It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today,” Kelley said in the statement. “No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.”

Republicans immediately trumpeted the AFGE announcement as they push Democrats to abandon efforts to include an extension of Affordable Care Act health insurance premium subsidies in government funding legislation.

Bessent says troops will start going without pay by Nov. 15 if shutdown continues

Active duty troops will start going without pay by Nov. 15 if lawmakers can't come to an agreement to end the government shutdown, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The Trump administration has moved Pentagon money around to pay military service members during the shutdown, but Bessent suggested the financial juggling act can't go on much longer.

"I think we'll be able to pay them beginning in November. But by November 15 our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren't going to be able to get paid," Bessent said Oct. 26 on CBS News.

Federal nutrition program at risk as Nov. 1 approaches

 A federal nutrition program that provides food, education and counseling to at-risk children under 5 years old is at risk of running out of funds if the ongoing government shutdown continues into November.

The National WIC Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients, said on Oct. 21 that millions of families could lose their benefits come Nov. 1 without additional funding for the program.

The program, which also helps pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals, received emergency funds issued by the White House earlier in the month that temporarily kept the program running. Despite this, the nonprofit has warned that the emergency funding is only enough to sustain the program through Oct. 31, so people could lose access to their benefits beginning Nov. 1 if nothing changes.

More flight disruptions on horizon, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns

Travelers should prepare for more flight delays and cancelations, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, as the continuing shutdown further stresses air travel.

Duffy said on Fox News’ "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" that air traffic controllers are “wearing thin.”

“You’re going to see more staffing shortages in towers, which means you’re going to see more delays, more cancellations,” Duffy said.

The shutdown has compounded long-standing issues at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has grappled with significant staffing crunches for years. In May, Duffy said the FAA was short about 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.

What do Democrats and Republicans want for the government to reopen?

Currently, more than 24 million Americans are enrolled in ACA plans, also known as "Obamacare" and without the federal subsidies, which began during the pandemic, the average out-of-pocket premium payments are expected to double, from $888 a year to $1,904.

Democrats are pushing to ensure tax breaks for 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act and have refused to back a government spending bill that doesn’t address the issue.

The Senate Dems want to make the tax break permanent, which would otherwise expire at the end of the year, and provide reassurances to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.

Republicans and the president say they are open to considering a fix for the expiring ACA tax breaks, but want the issue addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse.

– Terry Moseley