Democrats Face 15th Opportunity to Reopen Government; Otherwise, SNAP Benefits Will Disappear

15th Chance for Government Reopening

Democrats have another opportunity to reopen the government this Thursday, but if they don’t act, it could lead to serious consequences for Americans, including disruptions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and potential flight delays and cancellations, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).

Speaking on the 30th day of what he referred to as a Democratic shutdown, Johnson emphasized that Senate Democrats have this new chance to “do the right thing.”

“We’re worried they won’t take it. If they refuse this opportunity for the 15th time, it could mean the shutdown extends beyond the November 1 deadline,” he explained, adding that the upcoming deadline is significant.

“Let me outline what this situation means for Americans: it means that tens of millions of families may find it hard to afford food as SNAP benefits run out,” Johnson noted.

“Additionally, support for WIC, which aids Women, Infants, and Children, could be at risk. And Head Start centers, which provide services to 60,000 children nationwide, might face closure,” he continued.

He also underscored the impact on federal employees, mentioning air traffic controllers, TSA agents, park rangers, border patrol agents, and those managing the nation’s nuclear arsenal who would not receive their pay. This, he indicated, could lead to thousands of canceled or delayed flights, threatening both national security and our borders at a precarious time globally. Johnson claimed that billions of dollars in GDP would be lost with each day the shutdown continues.

“The situation is becoming increasingly severe, and as Democrats prepare to reject our straightforward funding resolution for the 15th time, we expect them to do so today. They have shown no remorse for their actions,” he added, suggesting that the Democrats are catering to their far-left supporters.

To provide context, Johnson pointed out that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) previously voted in favor of a clean continuing resolution back in March—the same kind of bill currently under consideration.

“He made the right choice and passionately explained why he wouldn’t want to cause such suffering for the American people… But when he made the right call back in March, he faced considerable backlash from the far left,” he remarked. “He came close to losing his position.”

This criticism led Schumer and his advisors to determine that Democrats would vote against the current bill regardless of the suffering it might cause to the populace.

“And that’s precisely what transpired. He did this to demonstrate to his base that he was committed, but this maneuver has driven the Democratic Party to its lowest level in decades,” Johnson asserted, characterizing the ongoing shutdown as “the clearest indication that the radical elements within the Democratic Party are taking control.”