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The Pennsylvania Democrat posted a direct message on X saying, “As a dedicated Democrat, it’s dismayed that my party plays chicken with 42M Americans food security.” I refuse a gamble which exposes an vulnerable group to deprivation, chaos and widespread poverty.
Fetterman made his remarks shortly after the U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a warning on their website that ‘the well is dry’ for the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP), and “there will not be any benefits paid on November 1, 2001. The warning represents the strongest indication yet that the budget impasse, which has lasted for a month now, could cause widespread hardship to families that rely upon federal assistance.
After Congress failed to agree on funding operations for the next fiscal year, the shutdown started October 1. This standoff has now lasted for nearly a month and paralyzed many parts of the federal administration. Hundreds of thousands of employees are left in an uncertain state. Recent estimates suggest that approximately 750,000 federal workers have been either furloughed, or working without pay.
Many federal agencies are no longer operating or have shut their doors. This is despite the fact that essential services like military operations, Medicare and other government programs continue to be funded. Air travel, tax preparation, housing grants and research grant programs have all been affected by delays. The prolonged shutdown, according to economists, could reduce the U.S. Gross Domestic Product by between $7 billion and $14 million this quarter. It may also slow down overall economic growth by two percentage points.
The impasse stems from a political fight between the two parties over spending and healthcare priorities. Republicans have called for a ‘clean’ continuing resolution in order to reopen government, without any additional policy riders. Democrats insist on the inclusion of provisions that extend Affordable Care Act subsides and continue Medicaid expansion in any funding package.
Both sides appear to be unwilling to compromise. The decision by Fetterman to break with the Democrats in public shows the increasing unease of Democrats, as the cost on the people is rising.
Fetterman is a populist who’s built his reputation on being blunt and direct. This issue hits close to home. Pennsylvania is one of the most populous states in the country, with the largest number of SNAP beneficiaries. Local food banks are reporting a surge in demand due to the prolonged shutdown.
Economic ripples extend beyond Washington. Federal contractors across the nation have been forced to lay off employees, while small businesses that are tied into government projects have faced cash flow crises and federal courts have started scaling back their operations. Unpaid air traffic control has caused widespread delays in flight due to thousands of controllers.
The frustration has grown even within the Democratic Caucus. Moderate members of Congress are privately urging the leadership to come up with a temporary fix before SNAP benefits expire, for fear that there will be a backlash if millions suddenly lost access to food aid. There’s not much progress to be seen at the moment. The negotiations between the House of Representatives, Senate and White House are stalled. Lawmakers have warned that the economic effects will continue to grow with every passing week.
The stakes are higher than ever as November draws near. Unless Congress takes action, the federal agency will not be able to make SNAP payments. This means that tens and millions of Americans won’t receive food assistance.
