Midnight Friday Deadline Nears as Congress Risks Another Shutdown

The federal government is approaching another shutdown deadline on Friday, January 30, only two months after a previous shutdown in October-November that severely disrupted federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC, leaving many families still recovering financially. Senate Republicans are pushing forward with a comprehensive funding package despite Democrats asserting that no viable agreement has been reached through negotiations with Republicans and the White House. The situation is complicated by the House being in recess, severe winter weather disrupting congressional schedules, and a tight timeline that makes passing revised legislation nearly impossible before the deadline.