U.S. Senate adjourns for the week without ending the federal government shutdown
The U.S. Senate adjourned today without approving legislation to end the federal government shutdown and isn’t scheduled to meet again until Monday.
That would extend the shutdown until at least its 34th day, which would match the longest funding lapse in U.S. history.
CBS News reports that senators continued to express cautious optimism about bipartisan talks over reopening the government and passing longer-term appropriations bills, but there have been no apparent breakthroughs.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNBC that “a lot more conversations” are happening between rank-and-file members, and suggested that next week’s elections might provide the catalyst needed to end the stalemate.
Funding for food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is due to expire on Saturday, leaving 42 million Americans without access to benefits. Several senators said the freeze would increase pressure on both sides to reach a deal.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources has advised people who rely on SNAP benefits to seek help from local food banks until funding can be restored.
