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As Election Day approaches, the government shutdown continues, entering its 35th day and officially becoming the longest government shutdown in U.S. history by the evening of Nov.4. The Senate has reconvened following a weekend break.
On Friday, Oct. 31, two federal judges ruled that the Trump Administration must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Monday, Nov. 3, the Trump administration announced that it would partially fund SNAP for November. However, payments will likely be delayed, and beneficiaries could see their payments downsized. In response, several states have increased financial aid or food bank funds; Nebraska is not one of these states.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, speaking to CNN, expressed concerns for the 1.9 million residents in Illinois who rely on SNAP benefits. He previously stated that if the issue was not resolved by Nov. 1, there may be “questions about whether they’ll receive any payments at all.”
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, who is also an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), noted that the situation is more complex than it seems, emphasizing the need for pressure on Democrats to negotiate. He expressed concern about the SNAP program, stating, “It’s very important to my practice. Many pregnant and breastfeeding women use that program.”
SNAP is only one of several issues that continue to affect civilians as the government shutdown persists. Nearly two weeks ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported air traffic controller staff shortages nearing 200 as the holiday season begins. This follows Senate Democrats blocking a bill in a 54-45 vote that would have paid essential workers. Many Democrats argued that they want a bill that also compensates furloughed federal workers, a proposal that was rejected by Republicans.
The House has not conducted legislative business in more than six weeks, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune closed his chamber this past weekend. Recent poll data from CNN indicate that more voters are blaming President Trump for the government shutdown than Democrats, reversing earlier sentiments where Democrats were held responsible by the majority.
On the same day, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s request to impose a documentary proof of citizenship requirement for federal voter registration. Following this ruling, AP News reported that as of Nov. 1, a total of 11,097,467 advance ballots had been cast in the 2025 general election.
The upcoming 2025 general election includes races that will determine the next leaders of New Jersey, New York City, and Virginia, which AP News describes as a pivotal election season that could potentially “tip the balance in the U.S. House next year.”
