Story perspectives

Federal Shutdown Hits Military Pay, Threatens SNAP Funding

10/29/2025

Center

Federal Shutdown Impact

The federal shutdown nears its one-month mark, and military personnel will miss their first paychecks.
Many federal workers have gone unpaid for weeks, with dwindling reserves threatening essential programs.
States warn SNAP funding losses could leave millions hungry.
Democrats seek to keep Affordable Care Act subsidies, expiring soon.
Vice President JD Vance will meet Senate Republicans about tariffs as funding talks lag.

Right

Gallego Defends Subsidies

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) defended Democrats' push to extend Obamacare subsidies, arguing urgency justifies breaking legislative norms while citing U.S. President Donald Trump as disruptive.
CNN's Kasie Hunt challenged Gallego on Democrats' previous commitment to maintaining norms.
Gallego acknowledged Democrats contributed to the subsidy expiration but blamed Republicans for not supporting funding.
The shutdown, now nearing a month, continues to impact federal workers as food banks report higher demand.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. federal government shutdown, lasting from October 1 to 17, resulted from a budget impasse over the Affordable Care Act, leading to 800,000 federal employees being furloughed. This shutdown disrupted essential services and caused significant economic losses, estimated at $24 billion. The ongoing 2025 shutdown reflects similar budgetary conflicts, impacting military personnel and food assistance programs like SNAP, highlighting persistent struggles over federal funding priorities.

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Federal Shutdown Impact

The federal shutdown nears its one-month mark, and military personnel will miss their first paychecks.
Many federal workers have gone unpaid for weeks, with dwindling reserves threatening essential programs.
States warn SNAP funding losses could leave millions hungry.
Democrats seek to keep Affordable Care Act subsidies, expiring soon.
Vice President JD Vance will meet Senate Republicans about tariffs as funding talks lag.

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