U.S. Shutdown Deepens as Millions Face Food, Income Strain

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The U.S. government shutdown is now nearing its second month, and its effects are spreading across the country.

What began on October 1 as a political standoff in Washington has become a growing crisis for federal workers and low-income families.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have missed paychecks, leaving many struggling to cover basic expenses. Around 670,000 federal workers have been furloughed, while another 730,000, including air traffic controllers and park rangers, are still working but without pay.

One of the central issues driving the impasse is funding for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which help more than 20 million Americans afford health insurance.

The subsidies are set to expire soon, and Democrats say they will not vote to reopen the government without a deal to extend them. Republicans, however, insist negotiations can only begin after government operations resume.

Meanwhile, crucial food aid programs are reaching critical limits. SNAP benefits, which support 42 million Americans, are expected to run out of funding soon.

The White House has rejected calls to use emergency funds to sustain the program, saying it is not legally allowed to do so. WIC, which provides food support for pregnant women and infants, is also at risk. Head Start programs serving tens of thousands of children could begin closing.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has blamed Democrats for blocking funding bills, warning that families could begin going hungry. But new polling suggests the public largely holds President Donald Trump and Republicans responsible for the shutdown.

There are tentative signs that some lawmakers from both parties are exploring compromise ideas. Still, the political divide remains wide, and a resolution is not yet in sight.