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USDA officials announced recently that monthly food benefits from a major federal social assistance programs will not be distributed next month due to the ongoing federal closure.

Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week

The government shutdown was in three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, which followed appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats pushing the department to access contingency funds to fund the upcoming nutrition payments.

“Ultimately, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated. “Now, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.

Widespread Impact

Tens of millions of people rely on these food benefits, according to official statistics. Some regions, including New Mexico, reliance on this assistance is as high as a significant portion of citizens.

Internal communications seen by Reuters indicated that federal authorities decided against using emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.

Political Stalemate

Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds regarding how to finance and restart federal agencies.

Remarks from the head of a prominent policy organization indicated that the White House could have acted to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.

“They had the ability and responsibility made moves before now to make arrangements to use these funds,” the remarks concluded. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to pressure Senate Democrats to vote for a funding package that would reopen the federal government.

Local Responses

Governors in two affected states declared states of emergency in recent days to free up resources to address food insecurity in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping during the upcoming period.