The U.S. federal government has now been shut down for 34 days. The stalemate is led by Donald Trump’s administration and Congress, unable to agree on a funding bill. During the shutdown, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — serving about 42 million Americans — have been delayed. Two federal judges recently ordered the administration to tap contingency funds to keep the aid flowing. Meanwhile, President Trump is pressing Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster rule so funding can pass without Democratic votes. Congress has scheduled no major vote this week to end the freeze. The shutdown is now on track to become the longest in U.S. history if it continues beyond this week.
