Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At 22 days, the government shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history.
This week, some states are warning the shutdown could impact payments for safety-net programs like WIC and SNAP.
The impasse on Capitol Hill continues into its fourth week. Democrats want a funding bill that protects Medicaid and extends expiring Obamacare subsidies. Republicans argue those issues should be dealt with only after the government reopens.
“But that can’t happen until they open up the government. So I think the president is prepared to sit down and have conversations with the Democrats,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Democrats appear unwilling to take Republicans at their word and want action now.
“They caused it. They’re the ones maintaining it. All they’ve got to do is sit down and do what has been done time and time and time again on any of these C.R. issues, sit down and negotiate with the other side,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Making matters even more complicated: safety nets like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC, a similar program for women, infants and children, are on the brink of losing funding in just over a week.
New York State is warning residents if the shutdown carries into November, SNAP benefits could be delayed.
On the SNAP page of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website, a message regarding the shutdown reads: “Because Republicans in Washington D.C. failed to pass a federal budget, causing the federal government shutdown, November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be paid. Starting October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to PA. We will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume, and we will let you know when to expect SNAP payments.”
“It’s a completely ridiculous political statement on the part of a government official,” said Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., about the state’s website. “I think that’s indefensible that they would say that.”
Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., serves as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, which is responsible for overseeing funding and policies for SNAP and other nutrition programs. SNAP is a federal program, but it’s managed by individual states.
“Congressman Thompson voted to keep the government open. House Democrats voted against this and most Senate Democrats, with the exception of Senator Fetterman and a few others, have followed suit. They have caused this problem and could open the government tomorrow, yet they keep choosing politics over people,” said Renee Gamela, a spokeswoman for Thompson’s office.
“Our government remains closed, and I think that’s failure. And I’m the guy that’s going to consistently vote for country over party. I’m always going to vote for paying our military over the party. I’m always going to vote for paying the Capitol Police over my party. And I’m going to continue to fight for the two million Pennsylvanians that depend on SNAP to feed themselves. And I’m also going to fight for the same 400,000 Pennsylvanians that depend on those tax credits to make health insurance more affordable,” said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. “We can fight for all of them as long as our government is open.”
Republicans like Sen. McCormick argue that Democrats are holding up crucial funding by playing politics.
“Those 11 votes Republicans have voted to open the government, and Democrats have voted to shut down the government. So that’s the reality of the situation,” said McCormick.
With no deal in sight, funding continues to run thin as millions brace for additional fallout from the now second-longest shutdown.
