Make Me Smart The shutdown continues
Oct 28, 2025
In this discussion, budget and appropriations reporter Aris Foley unpacks the ongoing government shutdown and its implications. He highlights how expiring SNAP benefits and the approaching open enrollment for healthcare create urgent pressures for Congress. Aris also explains the complexities of fund shifting and the legality of impoundments during a shutdown. Additionally, he addresses the growing list of legislative tasks and the impact of one-off bills on negotiation dynamics. What's at stake for Americans becomes ever clearer as deadlines loom.
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Shutdown's Real And Escalating Harms
- The shutdown is increasingly causing real-world harms like missed paychecks and disrupted benefits for millions.
- SNAP, Head Start, and air travel disruptions concentrate pressure on Congress to act quickly.
SNAP Deadline Intensifies Political Pressure
- SNAP's imminent funding cliff adds intense bipartisan pressure and forces legal and political maneuvers.
- The USDA contingency fund and administration shifts of money are central disputes about legal authority and coverage.
Fund-Shifting Raises Legal And Political Alarms
- The Trump administration has shifted funds and used private donations to keep parts of government running.
- These maneuvers raise legal concerns about improper impoundment and encroaching on Congress's power of the purse.