Pressure Builds on Congress to End Shutdown: SNAP Cuts, Missed Paychecks Loom/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Millions of Americans face SNAP cuts and missed federal paychecks as the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week. The Trump administration refuses to tap emergency funds, citing legal limitations, while Democrats push for broader negotiations. Congress remains gridlocked as travel delays, health plan confusion, and financial fallout deepen the crisis.
Shutdown Crisis Escalates: Quick Look
- SNAP Aid Threatened: 42 million Americans risk losing food assistance this weekend.
- Military Pay at Risk: 1.3 million active-duty service members could miss Friday’s paycheck.
- Union Push: Federal employee unions demand immediate passage of a funding bill.
- No Clear Path: Congress remains locked in a partisan standoff with no compromise in sight.
- ACA Disruptions: Open enrollment delays are compounding health care frustrations for millions.
- Public Impact: Growing airport delays and financial stress spread as shutdown continues.
- White House Position: Administration refuses to use contingency funds; blames Democrats.
- Democratic Demands: Extension of ACA subsidies and job security guarantees.
- Public Sentiment: Lawmakers warn Americans are paying the price for political gamesmanship.
Pressure Builds on Congress to End Shutdown: SNAP Cuts, Missed Paychecks Loom
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) – As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth full week, tensions in Washington are escalating, with food assistance programs, military pay, and critical services on the line. Lawmakers are under mounting pressure, but a swift resolution appears elusive.
Urgency Grows as Americans Face Real-World Fallout
The nation’s second-longest government shutdown has begun to bite harder. Starting this weekend, over 42 million low-income Americans could be cut off from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits unless Congress passes new funding. The Trump administration has made clear it will not tap into the program’s $5 billion contingency fund, citing legal restrictions.
“We’re talking about real families here — food on the table,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “The emergency funds are there. The administration is just choosing not to use them.”
In addition to food aid, 1.3 million active-duty troops face the risk of going unpaid for the first time during the shutdown. Earlier in the crisis, the administration moved $8 billion from military research and development accounts to meet payroll, but it’s unclear whether that maneuver can or will be repeated.
Federal Unions Sound the Alarm
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, has publicly demanded an end to the shutdown.
“It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley, calling out both parties for their failure to act.
No Breakthrough in Sight
‘Despite mounting pressure, both parties appear entrenched. Senate Democrats, including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), say they won’t approve a funding bill without guarantees against further worker layoffs and an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
“We’ve got to get a deal with Donald Trump,” Kaine stated bluntly.
On the Republican side, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) accused Democrats of political posturing. “Now government workers and every other American affected by this shutdown have become nothing more than pawns in the Democrats’ political games,” he said.
The House has remained out of session since passing a short-term continuing resolution on Sept. 19, which Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked, arguing it fails to address soaring health insurance costs.
ACA Enrollment Chaos
Adding to the chaos, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) delayed preview access to 2026 ACA health plans on Healthcare.gov, complicating enrollment for millions. Democrats say CMS must reinstate furloughed workers to manage the open enrollment period beginning Saturday.
Twenty-eight senators have called on the Trump administration to open up the ACA plan preview tool immediately, warning that uncertainty around health care could spark further backlash.
Deepening Political Divide
Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to meet with Senate Republicans this week, but with President Trump abroad on a three-nation Asia tour, top-level negotiations are on hold. Congressional leaders remain publicly defiant, with Democrats demanding policy concessions and Republicans urging a clean vote on their House bill.
Senator David McCormick (R-PA) acknowledged the need to address rising premiums but stated, “We’re not going to have that conversation until the government opens.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) urged her colleagues to step back from the political brink. “We’ve got to come together, which means we’ve got to talk to one another. Right now, those that are losing are the American people.”
