US Government Shutdown Threatens Food Assistance, Federal Pay, Global Impact

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown in October 2025 is causing severe disruptions both domestically and internationally. Around 42 million Americans face potential cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, risking widespread hunger as food banks struggle to meet increased demand amid depleted federal funding. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain unpaid, with many turning to food pantries, while U.S. military civilian employees in Germany face delayed salaries due to the shutdown. Economically, the shutdown is estimated to reduce GDP growth by 0.1% to 0.2% weekly and complicates Federal Reserve policy decisions due to incomplete economic data. Despite legal guarantees of back pay, uncertainty around compensation is causing federal workers to reduce spending, potentially impacting local economies. Additionally, international tensions rise as Colombia withdraws its ambassador to Washington amid strained relations with President Trump’s administration, further highlighting the broader impact of current U.S. political challenges.