Government Shutdown Continues Amid Legal Fight Over Food Aid, FAA Cuts Flights

THE BARE STORY

As of November 7, a U.S. government shutdown entered its 38th day with Congress yet to find a resolution. The Federal Aviation Administration began reducing air traffic by 10% at many of the nation's busiest airports, citing staff shortages. In response, airlines have started to cancel flights. Meanwhile, the Senate convened to seek a path forward after bipartisan talks reportedly stalled.

A central conflict involves the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which affects approximately 42 million Americans. The administration is appealing a federal judge's order that it must provide full SNAP benefits for November by the end of the day. Justice Department lawyers asked the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block the order, arguing it "makes a mockery of the separation of powers." The administration had planned to issue only partial payments, up to 65%, from a contingency fund, citing a funding shortfall.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge John McConnell stated that evidence showed people would go hungry without full funding. A coalition of plaintiffs in the case argued that the administration's refusal to use other available funds was "arbitrary and pretextual." The legal dispute is unfolding as food banks report operating in "disaster response mode" to handle increased demand from SNAP recipients and furloughed federal workers. One food bank CEO described the situation as a "rolling disaster" and said his organization was "stretched thin."

In Washington, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber would likely work through the weekend on a new legislative approach. He claimed that bipartisan talks broke down following a Democratic caucus meeting. In contrast, Senator Elizabeth Warren stated that there had been "zero negotiations" because Republicans had "drawn a line in the sand." Republicans planned to hold a vote on a bill to pay federal employees who are still working during the shutdown.