A major milestone in the government shutdown is just around the corner
The ongoing government shutdown could disrupt paychecks, Head Start programs, and health benefits by November.
- The federal government shutdown is in its 27th day as President Trump is in Asia for trade negotiations.
- Funding for food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC is scheduled to run out on November 1, impacting 42 million people.
- Nov. 1 is also the opening day for public participation registration for the Affordable Care Act, a central issue during the government shutdown.
- Democrats want to extend the expiring ACA tax credits in the budget, while Republicans want to address the issue separately.
Monday marks the start of the work week and the 27th day of the federal government shutdown, which affects all but the most essential services as President Donald Trump is in Asia until Thursday, Oct. 30, for trade negotiations. But all eyes are on Saturday, November 1, when two significant events are expected to impact millions of Americans.
Starting this weekend, government funding for food assistance benefits for around 42 million people will end.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the nation’s largest food assistance programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), posted a notice on its website on Friday, Oct. 24, saying it will no longer provide federal food assistance starting Nov. 1.
“The bottom line is that the wells are dry,” the USDA notice says.
November 1 will also mark the opening of applications for more than 24 million Americans to enroll in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
Health care remains a key sticking point in the government shutdown for Democrats, who are pushing to extend tax credits that expire at the end of the year. President Trump and the Republican Party continue to insist that the issue can be discussed after the government shutdown ends.
Republican-majority states like West Virginia, Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, and Texas had record numbers of residents enrolling in ACA insurance in 2024 because of tax benefits. This statistic has caught the attention of Republican leaders in several red states. And without the subsidies that started during the pandemic, average out-of-pocket premiums are expected to double from $888 to $1,904 a year.
Is the federal government still closed?
Yes, the federal government has remained largely shut down since shortly after midnight on October 1st.
More than 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed, and about the same number are working without pay. Employees deemed essential to public safety, such as military personnel, law enforcement officers, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.
President Trump signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to keep active-duty military members paid despite the government shutdown, but this does not apply to all federal employees who are required to work.
What do Democrats and Republicans want from reopening the government?
Democrats want to secure tax breaks for the 24 million Americans who get insurance through the Affordable Care Act (known as Obamacare) and refuse to support government spending bills that do not address the issue.
Senate Democrats want to make the tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year, permanent and provide reassurance to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.
Republicans and the president have said they are open to considering fixes to the expiring ACA tax cuts, but want the issue to be addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse.
What about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?
According to the Social Security Administration’s closure plan, the agency will continue issuing retirement and disability benefits, but will furlough 12% of its employees and suspend marketing campaigns.
Payments will continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs as well.
Will American mail be delivered?
The USPS said in a statement that it is open because the U.S. Postal Service is not dependent on Congress for funding.
What about the airport?
More than 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees will be required to report to work during the shutdown, and neither group is expected to be paid until Congress approves a budget.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” show on Saturday, Oct. 25, that the Federal Aviation Administration had 22 “triggers” indicating a shortage of air traffic controllers.
“That’s a sign that the controller is worn out,” Duffy said.
Will food assistance continue under SNAP and WIC?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the nation’s largest food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, posted notices on their websites on Friday, Oct. 24, saying federal food assistance will no longer be implemented on Nov. 1.
What does the military shutdown mean for the military?
Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to ensure active duty military personnel are paid despite the federal government shutdown.
However, about 55% of the Pentagon’s 740,000 military personnel have been furloughed, including employees in training, procurement and administrative support. Civilians in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons systems maintenance, intelligence and logistics are still working and are not included in President Trump’s order to pay active duty employees.
The National Guard, which President Trump deployed to American cities, must also remain active.
What about Homeland Security, Immigration and Border Protection officers?
Only 5% of the Department of Homeland Security’s 271,000 employees are furloughed, including those involved in research, planning, training and auditing.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on October 16 that more than 70,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the department, including officers in Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and other critical mission areas, will be paid for all hours worked during the shutdown.
Contributors: USA TODAY’s Joey Garrison, Melina Khan, Kathryn Palmer, Zachary Sharmere and Saman Shafiq. and Reuters
