Rep. Kiggans calls on Senate to reopen government as shutdown becomes 2nd longest in U.S. history

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. is now in the midst of the second-longest government shutdown in the country's history.

Three weeks into the shutdown, the Senate has voted 11 times on funding measures which would reopen the government. However, they have failed to pass each time.

Now, assistance programs are facing delays as the end of the month approaches. According to Newport News Human Services, the USDA has notified Virginia that November SNAP benefits cannot be issued due to a nationwide pause.

“We haven't got a budget passed right now," said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Dist. 2). "We're operating under a continuing resolution from last year. I need the federal government open, if we care about these programs and we care about people actually being able to use these programs. That's how w