Shutdown Enters Third Week; SNAP, Deadlines Loom

The U.S. government shutdown has stretched into its third week (Day 21–23), becoming the second‑longest federal funding lapse in history and putting federal workers at risk of missed paychecks. SNAP benefits could be exhausted around Nov. 1, and a House 'clean' continuing resolution that might force action could itself lapse around Nov. 21, creating multiple near‑term deadlines. Rising health‑insurance premiums and the start of ACA open enrollment are being watched as potential political pressure points while Republicans and Democrats remain entrenched. Lawmakers have struggled to restart talks despite efforts such as a bipartisan Senate lunch hosted by Sens. Gary Peters and Rand Paul, and the Senate plans scheduled votes on judicial nominations alongside consideration of a House‑passed funding bill. Operational strains, including FAA staffing issues affecting flights, are already surfacing, and President Trump is combining domestic political outreach and private GOP gatherings with foreign travel this week, including a planned bilateral meeting with China’s Xi Jinping.