US shutdown drags on as 750,000 workers furloughed, millions lose food aid

The United States government shutdown has stretched into its 40th day, leaving roughly 750,000 federal employees furloughed, millions without food assistance, and air travel grinding to a halt. The crisis began October 1 after Republicans blocked Democrats’ attempt to protect healthcare and social programmes in the budget bill.

Talks in the Senate over the weekend failed to break the deadlock. Democrats offered a scaled-down proposal to temporarily extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but Republicans rejected it, prolonging the record shutdown.

The effects are piling up. The Federal Aviation Administration has reduced air traffic amid unpaid controller shortages, forcing more than 1,500 flight cancellations on Saturday alone.

Meanwhile, food aid has become another casualty. President Donald Trump said SNAP benefits “will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government,” leaving millions of low-income Americans without assistance. Democrats accuse Republicans of holding healthcare and food security hostage for political leverage.

With the holidays approaching, pressure is mounting on both parties to end the standoff. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there’s “only one path out, a clean funding extension,” but no breakthrough appears close.