US Senate Fails 13th Vote as Shutdown Hits 28 Days, SNAP Crisis Looms

The U.S. government shutdown entered its 28th day with the Senate failing for the 13th time to advance a Republican-backed clean funding bill intended to reopen the government until November 21. The vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold, with Democrats blocking the measure due to concerns over funding for domestic programs such as Affordable Care Act subsidies and housing support. The shutdown has caused federal employees and military personnel to miss paychecks, and critical programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) face imminent funding cuts that could leave millions without food assistance. Democratic-led states have sued the Trump administration, accusing it of illegally refusing to use emergency funds to maintain SNAP benefits. Despite attempts to pass smaller bills to fund essential services, no consensus has emerged, and Vice President JD Vance is engaging with Senate Republicans to strategize the next steps amid rising bipartisan pressure to end the impasse. The shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, intensifying impacts on federal services and deepening national concern.