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The following are recent updates from the National Council of Nonprofits:
10/28/25
The Senate voted today for the 13th time to reopen the government, and for the 13th time, the measure failed.
As November 1 approaches, there is increasing pressure on Congress and the White House to reach a deal to reopen and fund the government, but so far, neither party has indicated a willingness to reach a compromise. Starting on November 1, funding for SNAP, WIC, and HeadStart will run out, leaving millions of Americans without critical food assistance or early education programming.
Advocates have urged the White House to use a SNAP contingency fund to help extend SNAP benefits to households into November, but the Administration has held that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.” Speaker Johnson (R-LA) agreed with the Trump Administration’s interpretation of the law, stating that he found the legal argument to be “legitimate.” Organizations, such as the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, however, dispute that claim, citing past examples of when the contingency fund has been deployed, including during the first Trump Administration. If Congress or the White House doesn’t step in with more money, SNAP benefits would lapse for the first time in modern history.
In response to this threat, Attorneys General from 25 states and the District of Columbia filed litigation, challenging the administration’s decision not to tap emergency funds in court.
Members of Congress have also introduced competing bills to address SNAP funding. Senate Democrats – led by Sen. Luján (D-NM) – are preparing to introduce a bill to continue funding for food aid benefits, such as SNAP and WIC. Senate Republicans – led by Sen. Hawley (R-MO) – have a separate bill to fully fund SNAP. Rep. Bresnahan (R-PA) introduced a bill to fund WIC during the government shutdown. None of these bills have a path forward at this time.
Meanwhile, a federal judge in San Francisco indefinitely barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the government shutdown, saying that labor unions were likely to prevail on their claims that the cuts were arbitrary and politically motivated.
10/27/25
Congress and the White House are just days away from a significant escalation of the government shutdown. Starting Saturday, November 1, SNAP benefits will be stopped for over 40 million people, active-service military members will miss their next paychecks, and millions of Americans will see sharp increases to their healthcare premium costs. Plus, more than 58,000 children in 134 Head Start centers across 41 states and Puerto Rico will miss out on their federal grants.
Democratic and Republican strategists and pollsters agree that the government shutdown is a growing liability for both parties, as members of Congress hear from their constituents. The changing political dynamics could push both parties towards reaching an agreement.
Several Senators are introducing legislation to blunt some of the harshest impacts of the shutdown, but none are expected to be enacted soon. Sen. Hawley (R-MO) said he may try to push forward a bill to fund SNAP for the duration of the shutdown. Sen. Cruz (R-TX) has a bill to pay air traffic controllers, and Sen. Sullivan (R-AK) has legislation to pay troops. Meanwhile, a bipartisan effort from Sen. Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD) to reach an agreement on legislation to pay federal workers and active-duty military is seen as having the best chance for moving forward.
10/24/25
Hill Updates
Yesterday, the Senate failed to pass two competing bills – one from Republicans, and one from Democrats – aimed at ensuring federal workers and active-duty military members are paid on time. The Senate could vote again next week, if the two parties can bridge their differences this weekend. Sens. Johnson (R-WI), Van Hollen (D-MD) and Peters (D-MI) are reportedly working to merge their competing proposals, with the hopes of finding a compromise that can garner the support needed for enactment. A major sticking point will likely be a provision included in Van Hollen’s bill that limits the President’s ability to fire federal employees during the shutdown.
Impacts
Congressional leaders are all looking to November 1, when open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act marketplace begins and Americans will see a significant increase in premiums, if Congress does not extend the enhanced premium tax credits that expire this year. November 1 also brings a cliff for SNAP, which will impact millions of Americans.
While advocates had been urging USDA to release contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits, the agency stated today that it cannot do so and that states won’t be reimbursed if they cover the expenses on their own. This leaves 42 million low-income people without access to SNAP benefits if Congress doesn’t agree to a deal to fund and reopen the government. Many see USDA’s announcement as yet another effort by the White House to maximize pressure on Senate Democrats.
10/23/25
Polls show that nearly 90 percent of Americans believe the shutdown is at least a “minor problem,” and more than half see it as a “major one,” according to an AP-NORC poll out last week.
10/22/25
This shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, and there is still no solution in sight. As Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) says, neither party sees an incentive in reaching a compromise. “Both sides think there is political advantage in sticking with the positions that they have.”
The House is still on recess, and the Senate continues to bring the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government to the floor for a vote daily. Today, the Senate is expected to vote on the measure for the 12th time. The bill is not expected to pass.
Currently, there are no top-level negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House. Senate Leader Schumer (D-NY) and House Leader Jeffries (D-NY) requested a meeting with the President to jumpstart negotiations on extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, but the request was denied; President Trump says he will meet with Democrats, but only after the government is reopened. In addition, 13 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson (R-LA), urging Congress to reach a deal to extend and reform the healthcare tax credits after the government reopens.
Members of Congress are growing frustrated. Some Senate Republicans have suggested changing the filibuster rules to reduce the number of votes needed to reopen the government, despite Senate Leader Thune (R-SD)’s opposition. Both parties are working on separate, competing bills to continue pay for certain federal workers.