For the thirteenth time, Democrats on Tuesday blocked a measure that would have reopened the federal government, prolonging a shutdown that threatens essential services across the country.
Speaking to The New York Post, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed frustration over the stalemate, saying there was a straightforward solution to prevent millions of Americans from losing access to food assistance. “The simplest way to end it and the simplest way to make sure that people are getting the food assistance they need is to pick up the bill and give us five votes,” Thune said.
He added that once that happens, “And we’ll, we’ll send it to the president. It’ll be signed into law.”
Despite the urgency, the Senate failed to pass the measure in a 54-45 vote, extending the shutdown’s economic toll and leaving vulnerable families in limbo.
Roughly 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for help buying groceries. Because of the ongoing government shutdown, their next monthly payments will be delayed and will not be distributed on Shabbos, Nov. 1.
{Matzav.com}
