Government Shutdown Updates: Senate Adjourns as SNAP Benefits Set to End

As the United States enters its 30th day of the government shutdown, lawmakers have reached a critical impasse that threatens to leave millions of Americans without essential food assistance. The Senate adjourned until Monday without a breakthrough, marking what could become the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

Senate Fails to Advance Funding Bill for 13th Time

The Senate failed once again on Tuesday to advance legislation that would reopen the government until November 21st. For the 13th consecutive time, senators could not reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome the filibuster and bring the House-passed continuing resolution to the floor for a final vote.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed frustration with the ongoing stalemate, noting that "there are a lot more conversations going on now between Republicans and Democrats than perhaps there were a couple of weeks ago." Despite this cautious optimism, lawmakers left Washington for the weekend without reaching a deal.

SNAP Benefits to Lapse Starting November 1st

Perhaps the most immediate crisis facing Americans is the impending suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Starting Saturday, November 1st, no new benefits will be distributed to the program's approximately 42 million recipients across the United States.

The average SNAP recipient receives $187 per month on a prepaid card, which many families rely on as their primary source of food security. Food banks nationwide are already reporting strain from increased demand as federal workers miss paychecks, and experts warn they cannot handle the additional burden if SNAP benefits disappear.

Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, told CBS News that "nonprofits can't possibly meet the tremendous new need that'll be created when 42 million people lose access to basic food security." Several advocacy organizations have filed lawsuits arguing the Trump administration has the legal authority to tap into a $5 billion USDA contingency fund to maintain SNAP payments during the shutdown.

Trump Calls for Eliminating the Filibuster

In a significant escalation Thursday night, President Trump called on Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster entirely to pass the Republican funding bill and end the shutdown. In a lengthy social media post, Trump declared: "It is now time for the Republicans to play their 'TRUMP CARD,' and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!"

The filibuster rule requires 60 votes to end debate and advance most legislation in the Senate. While bills only need 51 votes to pass, the 60-vote threshold has blocked the House-passed continuing resolution from coming to a final vote. Senate Majority Leader Thune previously rejected the idea of eliminating the filibuster earlier this month.

Healthcare Costs Set to Rise as ACA Open Enrollment Begins

Adding to Americans' concerns, November 1st also marks the start of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans. Without congressional action to extend enhanced premium tax credits, millions of Americans are discovering dramatically higher insurance costs for 2026.

Beth Dryer, an ACA enrollee from Norfolk, Virginia, discovered her monthly premium would quadruple from approximately $80 to $425 per month. "I feel pretty helpless at this moment," Dryer said, noting she would have to cancel her coverage entirely despite family history of breast cancer requiring regular screenings.

Aviation Industry Warns of Thanksgiving Travel Disruptions

Vice President JD Vance led a White House roundtable Thursday addressing how the shutdown is impacting air travel. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents have been working without pay for 30 days, leading to increased sick calls and flight delays at airports nationwide.

"It could be a disaster," Vance said about Thanksgiving travel if the shutdown continues. "You take the TSA lines that are already too long, even right now, and say half of those people don't show up for work... What happens when the security lines are not an hour long, but they're four hours long?"

On Thursday afternoon, Reagan National Airport near Washington experienced flight delays averaging 90 minutes due to staffing shortages, affecting senators as they departed the capital for the weekend.

Bipartisan Talks Show Signs of Progress

Despite the continued impasse, some lawmakers expressed cautious optimism about behind-the-scenes negotiations. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested the shutdown "is coming to a close," while several senators reported increased bipartisan discussions among rank-and-file members.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska noted a "significant uptick in bipartisan conversation," though Democratic leaders maintain they will not reopen the government without addressing healthcare affordability concerns. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that Democrats remain "in this fight until we win this fight."

What Happens Next?

The Senate reconvenes Monday afternoon, which will mark day 34 of the shutdown. If the impasse continues beyond Monday, this shutdown will tie the record for the longest in U.S. history at 34 days, matching the 2018-2019 shutdown.

Meanwhile, millions of federal workers will miss their second consecutive paycheck, SNAP recipients will face empty benefit cards, and Americans shopping for health insurance will confront significantly higher premiums without enhanced subsidies.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will SNAP benefits be restored?

SNAP benefits will only be restored once Congress passes funding legislation and the President signs it into law. Recipients may receive retroactive benefits for any months missed during the shutdown, though this depends on the final legislation.

How long can this shutdown last?

Technically, there is no limit to how long a government shutdown can continue. The longest previous shutdown lasted 34 days from December 2018 to January 2019. The current shutdown will tie that record on Monday if no agreement is reached.

Will federal workers receive back pay?

Yes, historically federal workers have always received retroactive pay for shutdown periods once the government reopens. However, they must continue working or remain furloughed without pay until funding is restored.

What services are affected by the shutdown?

The shutdown affects federal agencies that have not received funding, including impacts on SNAP benefits, national parks, some IRS services, TSA and air traffic control (though they continue working without pay), and various regulatory agencies.

Are Social Security and Medicare affected?

No, Social Security and Medicare benefits continue during shutdowns because they are considered mandatory spending that does not require annual appropriations from Congress.

Stay Informed

As this historic government shutdown continues, staying informed is crucial for all Americans affected by lost benefits, delayed services, or rising costs. Share this article with family and friends who need to understand the current situation and its potential impact on their daily lives.

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