Government shutdown senate vote: Millions of families across the United States are facing growing uncertainty as the federal government shutdown drags into its fourth week, and the Senate failed to advance a Republican-backed funding bill to end the shutdown, threatening to disrupt food assistance and delay federal paychecks, as per a report.

SNAP Funding may end soon as Congress fails to reach deal

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned Monday that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low-income Americans buy groceries, is running out, as per an ABC 7 News report. The nearly $5 billion in contingency funds once used to keep benefits flowing are “not legally available” under the current funding lapse, Johnson said.

Johnson said that, “Pre-existing appropriation for the contingency plan to be used — and Democrats blocked that appropriation when they rejected the clean continuing resolution,” adding, “So the way to make this stop immediately, we just need five more Democrats in the Senate to do the right thing,” as quoted in the report.

Without congressional action, millions could lose access to essential food assistance as early as November 1, reported ABC 7 News.

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Maryland and Virginia scramble to protect families relying on food aid

In Maryland alone, nearly 700,000 people, including 270,000 children, rely on SNAP to help feed their families, as per the report. In neighboring Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency to keep benefits flowing for about 850,000 residents by tapping into the state’s $10 billion budget surplus.

State leaders urge Washington to act before millions lose food assistance

Local leaders say they’re deeply concerned about the mounting crisis. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the state cannot advance federal funds without assurance of reimbursement. While, Attorney General Anthony Brown has demanded clarification from the US Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, on whether it is legally permitted to withhold benefits during the shutdown, as per the ABC 7 News report.

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25 states and D.C. take legal action over suspension of food stamp benefits

Meanwhile, a coalition of officials from 25 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over the suspension of food stamp benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown, reported CBS News.

The state officials wrote in their lawsuit that, "Shutting off SNAP benefits will cause deterioration of public health and well-being," adding, "Ultimately, the States will bear costs associated with many of these harms. The loss of SNAP benefits leads to food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition, which are associated with numerous negative health outcomes in children, such as poor concentration, decreased cognitive function, fatigue, depression, and behavioral problems," as quoted by CBS News.

FAQs

What’s happening with SNAP benefits during the government shutdown?
Funding for SNAP could soon run out, putting millions of families at risk of losing food assistance, as per the report.

When could SNAP payments stop?
If Congress doesn’t act, benefits could stop by November 1.