Shutdown standoff hits food aid and health costs | JQJO

As the shutdown entered a second month, Washington’s stalemate squeezed basic needs nationwide. Federal judges blocked the Trump administration’s plan to freeze SNAP payments, but loading delays still threaten grocery budgets for millions. With Congress absent—the House idle for weeks and the Senate closed for the weekend—air travel slowdowns and missed paychecks mounted. The Affordable Care Act enrollment period opened amid warnings of sharp premium hikes as enhanced tax credits are set to lapse; KFF estimates increases of about 114% or more than $1,000 a year. Both parties traded blame while offering no clear path forward.