Federal workers are expected to get their paychecks back in the coming days after President Trump signed the bill ending the government shutdown on Nov. 12, and states are to “promptly” distribute SNAP food benefits.
WASHINGTON – As the federal government continues to reopen two days after the end of the longest shutdown in history, advocates warn that delays in full paychecks, on-time flights and food supplies could continue.
President Donald Trump signed the bill on Nov. 12, ending the 43-day shutdown. For records, the White House measured the shutdown at 42 days, 22 hours, and 25 minutes.
As the government gets back on its feet, workers are expecting their paychecks back within days, airlines are reassigning crews and planes in response to flight cancellations, and states are scrambling to distribute food benefits in the lead-up to Thanksgiving.
Here’s what you need to know about the government, and how the country is recovering from the shutdown.
Vance criticizes Senate Democrats to Schumer over shutdown
Vice President J.D. Vance said Democrats made a “huge political mistake” by demanding that the government be reopened and eventually moderate groups gave in.
“They put a lot of stress on our military, they didn’t pay air traffic controllers, they caused a lot of grounded flights, they caused a lot of people to miss out on food benefits, literally,” Vance said on Fox News. “We could have closed this exact deal 45 days ago.”
Most Democrats in the House and Senate voted against the Republican-backed government reopening bill. It passed with the support of six Democrats in the House and one independent who caucuses with seven Democrats in the Senate.
–Francesca Chambers
AP recipients felt like “pawns” during the shutdown
About 42 million people receive SNAP benefits, but many had their benefits temporarily suspended during the government shutdown, leaving them scrambling for food banks and other assistance to stave off hunger.
Leah Skinner told USA TODAY that after two heart attacks, her hours at McDonald’s were cut short and she had to rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Program to get the protein and vegetables she and her 16-year-old son needed. But the shutdown felt like a game being played over her head.
“It’s like a chess game and they’re using us as pawns,” Skinner, who lives in Palmer Lake, Colorado, said of the funding battle in Washington. “We are the most sacrificed piece on the board and the least important.”
–Michael Collins
Many government employees, who have been out of work for more than a month during the government shutdown, could start getting paid as early as this weekend.
A senior Trump administration official confirmed to USA TODAY that the departments are aiming to send out checks to cover the outstanding balance between November 15th and 19th.
Officials say timing may vary because each agency has a different payroll provider and payment process. Since most agencies are currently in the middle of their pay period, the checks will only be eligible until November 1st, and for now, the remainder of November’s pay will be included in the employee’s next paycheck.
The White House Office of Management and Budget quickly issued guidance after the shutdown ended directing federal agencies to open and furloughing employees to return in a “prompt and orderly manner” starting Nov. 13.
OMB Director Russell Vought sent a letter to agency leaders on November 12, stating that “employees furloughed due to budget shortfalls should be directed to return to work on November 13.”
An estimated 750,000 workers were furloughed during the shutdown.
–Zack Anderson
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on November 13 that Transportation Security Administration employees who provided “exemplary” service during the shutdown would receive $10,000 bonuses.
“They deserve recognition for their hidden patriotism,” Noem said while recognizing two TSA agents at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Reiko Walker, who worked second shift, and Ashley Richardson, who canceled her trip.
The bonus money comes from $13.2 billion, Noem said, which President Trump has saved by cutting costs since taking office.
Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA employees continued to work as essential personnel during the shutdown. However, many people were absent due to seeking other income during the suspension of pay. President Trump has proposed giving air traffic controllers with perfect attendance a $10,000 bonus.
–Bert Jansen
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said nearly 20,000 flights were delayed during the shutdown due to staffing shortages.
Despite the grounding ending, airlines and aviation experts warned travelers to brace for further disruption throughout the week as crews and aircraft are thrown out of position due to flight cancellations.
Last week, Duffy ordered flight cancellations at 40 major airports, citing staffing shortages. The ministry froze the reduction in flights by 6%, citing a “rapid decline in controller calls.”
“If the FAA safety team determines that trend lines are moving in the right direction, we will provide a path to resume normal operations,” Duffy said in a Nov. 12 statement.
– Eve Chen
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Nov. 13 directed that SNAP food benefits be reinstated “quickly” as the government reopens, but advocates said it could take several days for states to resume payments.
The bill signed by President Trump on Nov. 12 to end the government shutdown funded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the entire fiscal year, ending Sept. 30.
“State officials must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allocations as soon as possible,” Patrick Penn, the undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, said in a statement. “State officials should immediately resume issuing November and December combined quotas to new certified applicants who apply after the 15th.”th This month’s. ”
At least 16 states have already announced full benefits over the weekend, according to research from the Center for Food Research and Action. Another 13 companies issued or began issuing partial or blended payments.
Jessica Garon, a spokeswoman for the American Public Welfare Association, told The Associated Press that most states will be able to issue full benefits within three days.
– Betty Lynn Fisher
