With the shutdown now the second-longest on record, the USDA has posted a notice saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, after the Trump administration declined to tap about $5 billion in contingency funds for SNAP, which serves roughly 1 in 8 Americans. A USDA memo says the funds aren’t legally available for regular benefits, reserving them for disasters such as Hurricane Melissa. States across parties expressed concern; some vow stopgaps despite no reimbursement, while Arkansas and Oklahoma urge residents to find pantries. Partisan standoffs persist, though Sen. Chris Murphy urged talks.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.