Shutdown nears record as food aid stalls | JQJO

On day 33 of the US government shutdown, Republicans say Donald Trump is eager to end the standoff, yet Congress remains deadlocked over a spending plan. With 53 Senate seats, Republicans need seven Democrats to reopen agencies; only three have backed funding in repeated votes since the 1 October closure. Two federal judges ordered the administration to tap $5bn in contingency funds to resume SNAP benefits for up to 42 million people, after payments stopped Saturday. Trump says he is waiting for judicial clarification, as the shutdown inches toward the 35-day record.