Millions Face Food Benefit Uncertainty as Government Stays Shut

The US government shutdown is causing major problems for millions of people. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that food benefits, which help over 41 million Americans, won't be issued in November. This is a big deal because many people rely on these benefits to eat. The shutdown has been going on for 25 days. Democrats in the House of Representatives asked the USDA to use emergency funds to keep the benefits flowing, but the USDA said no. They claimed there's no money left. This means 41 million people might not get the help they need. Some states, like New Mexico, rely heavily on these benefits. In New Mexico, 21% of residents depend on them. The USDA also said they won't use emergency reserves to fund the benefits for November. This decision has sparked criticism. Sharon Parrott, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the Trump administration could have acted sooner. She believes they might be using this situation to gain political advantage. Republicans are trying to pressure Democrats to vote for a spending bill to reopen the government. Because of the uncertainty, governors in Louisiana and Virginia declared states of emergencies. They want to make sure people have enough food. This shows how serious the situation is. The shutdown is causing real problems for real people. It's not just about politics; it's about making sure everyone has enough to eat.