The government shutdown has been ongoing for a little more than a month now, and this week, the consequences are hitting a lot closer to home for many Americans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has insufficient funds to pay full benefits for November. This means that the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP for subsidizing their food costs will have to worry about their next meal. The majority of these 42 million people are also working-class families, seniors and children. To them, this isn’t just about the political gridlock; it’s about survival. It’s the difference between having groceries in the fridge or skipping meals altogether.
Food banks are already preparing for and dealing with the surge in demand. A level of surge that we experienced and witnessed during COVID-19. However, this time it isn’t a pandemic. It’s a man-made crisis. There have been requests to the USDA to tap into its contingency funds to keep SNAP running temporarily, but those funds cover less than half of what’s needed. They are also intended for disaster circumstances like hurricanes and pandemics, not political standoffs.
As of Nov. 3, after 25 states sued, the Trump administration announced that it would resume funding the SNAP food benefits again, but only cover half the funds it used to cover. This comes after Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill has already sizably decreased the annual budget. Even then, the payment will be delayed, potentially leaving many Americans hungry. This is ironic because Congress provided more than five billion dollars in emergency funds for situations like this. There is no transparency on why the administration is rejecting the idea of using that money to fund SNAP.
The consequences of the government shutdown don’t stop there. Many federal workers are bearing the burden of Congress’s failure as well. Federal workers aren’t getting paid or are being laid off, while essential federal workers are expected to work without pay. Not only is this a financial strain on many workers, but it also delays public service for the people. During the early days of the shutdown, numerous flights were delayed and canceled because of a shortage of air traffic controllers: a direct result of staffing shortages. National museums and parks are also closing due to a lack of available staff. This is depriving families of public spaces and entertainment that their tax dollars fund.
Both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for this gridlock, though they do not share equal blame. They failed to pass a federal budget by Oct. 1, when the previous budget expired. Since then, instead of finding common ground, leaders on both sides have turned the shutdown into a political spectacle. They’re trading blame on TV while many families are trading dinner for cheaper groceries.
This situation could have and should have been prevented. For example, the budget committee, which normally doesn’t hold any real power to enforce anything, could be strengthened or reimagined entirely. This would help with long-term budget planning, preventing more shutdowns from happening in the future.
Either way, the government had months to reach an agreement, but stubbornness took priority over people’s needs. The longer this continues, the deeper the damage grows — not just economic damage but also damage to federal workers and the public.
This isn’t about party loyalty anymore. It’s about responsibility. Being part of government isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about serving the people who are dependent on you. It’s time for Congress to remember that its duty is not to themselves, but to the nation they’re holding hostage.
Contact the editors responsible for this article: Caitlin Donovan, Avery Finley
