As the federal shutdown enters a second month, threats to November SNAP benefits and growing air-travel disruptions have spurred calls — including from a Democratic senator — to reopen the government. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said restoring operations is the fastest way to stabilize food aid and aviation safety.
The U.S. government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, entered its second month on November 2. USDA had warned that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would run out on November 1, putting benefits for roughly 42 million people at risk nationwide. Courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled on October 31 that the administration must use emergency reserves to keep SNAP running, but payments may be delayed as agencies work through the process, according to reporting from Reuters and the Associated Press.
Pennsylvania officials say nearly two million residents rely on SNAP. State notices and prior DHS updates have cited that caseload, underscoring the potential impact if November benefits are delayed.
In interviews aired Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the administration would follow court guidance on SNAP and that “the best way for SNAP benefits to get paid is for five Democrats to cross the aisle and reopen the government.” He added that benefits could resume by midweek if procedures move quickly, a timeline echoed in UPI’s summary of the appearance. Bessent and other Republican leaders continue to blame Democrats for the shutdown, while Democratic governors and state attorneys general have argued in lawsuits and public letters that the administration should tap contingency funds to avoid a lapse.
Also on “State of the Union,” Sen. John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) said Democrats should “own the shutdown” and push to reopen the government, citing the risk of food insecurity if benefits are delayed. He said he supports Democrats’ health‑care policy goals but argued that keeping the government closed is the wrong tactic.
In a separate interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air‑traffic control staffing strains could force delays or cancellations to ensure safety. He said the department would “delay” or “cancel any kind of flight” if necessary. ABC and local outlets reported the FAA’s assessment that nearly half of major ATC facilities are short‑staffed, and that New York–area facilities have faced acute shortages; Newark Liberty International has already seen ground stops tied to staffing during the shutdown.
The White House and GOP leaders say Democrats are responsible for the shutdown and should advance a stopgap funding bill. Democrats counter that the administration chose not to use available contingency funds for SNAP until courts intervened and are pressing for health‑care provisions in any funding deal. While the court rulings are expected to keep food assistance flowing in November, officials across parties say the broader disruptions — from benefit payments to aviation — will persist until Congress reopens the government.
