Reading all the comments is heartbreaking! The only way we will defeat those in DC that see us as pawns is by coming together, supporting each other, and removing those who believe we are leverage from office next month!

The partial federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass a full-year appropriations package, entered its 30th day today with no resolution in sight. The impasse centers on disagreements over spending priorities, with Republicans pushing for a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that includes spending cuts and policy riders, while Democrats demand a clean funding bill without concessions they view as harmful to social programs and federal operations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune adjourned the chamber Thursday evening without scheduling further votes, citing frustration over repeated failures to advance the CR. Bipartisan negotiations, led by a small group of senators from both parties, showed glimmers of progress earlier in the week, including discussions on a potential November 21 funding deadline, but momentum stalled amid accusations from both sides.

The shutdown has furloughed over 2 million federal employees, halted non-essential services across agencies like the Departments of Interior and Housing and Urban Development, and delayed disaster relief projects. National parks remain partially open but understaffed, and IRS tax refund processing is slowed. Economists estimate the shutdown is costing the economy about $1.4 billion per week, with longer-term risks to GDP growth.

A critical flashpoint is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to over 42 million low-income Americans. SNAP funding is set to lapse on November 1—the first such interruption in the program's history—potentially delaying or canceling benefit issuances for November. The USDA has confirmed it cannot tap contingency funds due to the lapse in appropriations, leaving states scrambling for workarounds like emergency declarations or local food bank partnerships. Democrats attempted a standalone bill (S. 3024, the Keep SNAP Funded Act) to extend SNAP through the shutdown, but it was blocked by Republican objection to unanimous consent on October 29. Republicans, in turn, have held 14 votes on their CR (H.R. 5371), which would avert the lapse but reportedly includes $186 billion in projected SNAP cuts over 10 years through stricter work requirements and eligibility changes; all 14 Senate votes failed due to Democratic opposition requiring 60 votes for cloture.

Members of Congress Who Voted Against Funding SNAP
In the context of the shutdown, "voting against funding SNAP" refers to lawmakers who opposed advancing or passing bills that would maintain or extend SNAP appropriations during the lapse. The most direct recorded actions are on H.R. 5371, the Republican-led CR that includes SNAP funding (albeit with cuts). Below are the members who voted no on the most recent relevant roll call votes:

Senate (Roll Call Vote 590, October 28, 2025: Cloture on Motion to Proceed to H.R. 5371)
This vote failed 54-45, blocking the bill from floor consideration. The 45 senators who voted **NO** (effectively opposing advancement of the funding measure) are:

- Alsobrooks (D-MD)
- Baldwin (D-WI)
- Bennet (D-CO)
- Blumenthal (D-CT)
- Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
- Booker (D-NJ)
- Cantwell (D-WA)
- Coons (D-DE)
- Duckworth (D-IL)
- Durbin (D-IL)
- Gallego (D-AZ)
- Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Hassan (D-NH)
- Heinrich (D-NM)
- Hickenlooper (D-CO)
- Hirono (D-HI)
- Kaine (D-VA)
- Kelly (D-AZ)
- Kim (D-NJ)
- Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Lujan (D-NM)
- Markey (D-MA)
- Merkley (D-OR)
- Murphy (D-CT)
- Murray (D-WA)
- Ossoff (D-GA)
- Padilla (D-CA)
- **Paul (R-KY)**  
- Peters (D-MI)
- Reed (D-RI)
- Rosen (D-NV)
- **Sanders (I-VT)**
- Schatz (D-HI)
- Schiff (D-CA)
- Schumer (D-NY)
- Shaheen (D-NH)
- Slotkin (D-MI)
- Smith (D-MN)
- Van Hollen (D-MD)
- Warner (D-VA)
- Warnock (D-GA)
- Warren (D-MA)
- Welch (D-VT)
- Whitehouse (D-RI)
- Wyden (D-OR)

(Note: This includes 43 Democrats, 1 Independent, and 1 Republican. Similar party-line patterns held in the prior 13 cloture votes on this bill.)

Of These Senators, the Following Are Up for Re-Election in November 2025
The senators from the above list facing voters in the November 2025 midterm elections (for Class II seats) are:

- Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
- Booker (D-NJ)
- Durbin (D-IL)
- Hickenlooper (D-CO)
- Luján (D-NM)
- Markey (D-MA)
- Merkley (D-OR)
- Ossoff (D-GA)
- Paul (R-KY)
- Peters (D-MI)
- Reed (D-RI)
- Shaheen (D-NH)
- Smith (D-MN)
- Warner (D-VA)

Negotiations could resume as early as Friday, with pressure mounting ahead of the November 1 SNAP deadline and midterm election dynamics. President Trump has urged Congress to "get it done" via social media, while administration officials warn of cascading effects on food insecurity if the lapse occurs. Stay tuned for developments over the weekend.

If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity during this uncertain time, resources are available to help bridge the gap. To locate a local food bank or pantry, visit Feeding America's website and enter your ZIP code to find the nearest member food bank serving your area; they partner with over 200 organizations nationwide. Additional tools like FoodFinder.us allow map-based searches by ZIP code for pantries near you. For donations, consider contributing financially through Feeding America, where every $1 donated helps provide at least 10 meals—donate directly on their site. If you'd like to donate non-perishable or unspoiled perishable foods, contact your local food bank via the finder tool to confirm their guidelines, as many accept items from individuals through partner agencies. Other options include stock, cryptocurrency, or planned giving, depending on the organization. Your support can make a real difference in supporting communities right now.