Summary
The U.S. government shutdown continues into its fifth week, affecting millions of Americans as Democrats and Republicans cannot agree on a spending plan. Key impacts include potential loss of food assistance, delayed military pay, and challenges with heating aid during winter.
Key Facts
- The government shutdown has lasted five weeks with no resolution in sight.
- More than 40 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) for food, which may run out of funding by November 1.
- Food assistance programs are stressed, and people are visiting aid organizations for help.
- Over a million U.S. military members could miss paychecks without government intervention.
- The Pentagon received a $130 million donation to help pay military salaries temporarily.
- The White House intends to use various military funds to cover troop pay.
- Six million Americans could miss receiving heating aid due to the shutdown.
- Some states have barred utilities from cutting off heat to residents who cannot pay, but this does not cover all heating sources.
