The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Saturday that food aid intended for millions of households would not be paid next month, a direct result of the federal government shutdown. This suspension, unprecedented in several decades, stems from the ongoing stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over government funding.
The government shutdown, now in its 25th day, is severely disrupting the operations of several public agencies. The food assistance program, one of the pillars of the American social safety net, is at the heart of the crisis. Millions of low-income families are at risk of being without food assistance starting early next month.
Economists fear a domino effect on consumption and poverty, while several state governors are calling on the White House and Congress to find an emergency agreement. The president Donald Trump, who initiated the budgetary standoff, has so far shown no signs of easing his stance, stating that "budgetary discipline must prevail over political demagogy."
Charities are bracing for an unprecedented surge in requests for help, as queues are already growing outside food banks in several major cities across the country.
