The federal government shutdown reached its 27th day on Monday, and there's little headway expected over the next few days, as President Donald Trump is away on a nearly week-long foreign trip.

The president will swing through Malaysia, Japan and South Korea before heading home Oct. 30. Meanwhile, congressional leaders remain locked in a bitter stalemate over health care policy with no indications of a breakthrough on the disagreements that caused the government to close its doors on Oct. 1. A deal isn't likely with the president out of town, but workers continue to miss paychecks, flights are increasingly delayed and lower-income families are threatened with losing food assistance.

It's now the second longest shutdown in history, and risks becoming the longest if it lasts until Election Day on Nov. 4. The longest shutdown ever lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019, during Trump’s first term.

More than 700,000 federal workers have been furloughed, while nearly as many workers are working without pay. Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.

Union calls for government funding bill without health insurance subsidies

A union representing more than 800,000 federal workers is calling on lawmakers to end the government shutdown by passing legislation pushed by the GOP that doesn’t include an extension of health care subsidies demanded by Democrats.

The statement by American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley puts pressure on Democrats to join in approving a so-called “clean” government funding bill without the health care policy changes the party wants.

“It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today,” Kelley said in the statement. “No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.”

Republicans immediately trumpeted the AFGE announcement as they push Democrats to abandon efforts to include an extension of Affordable Care Act health insurance premium subsidies in government funding legislation.

SNAP benefits won't go out Nov. 1, USDA says

The 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will go without their benefits come Nov. 1 because of the ongoing government shutdown, according to a new message from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food.

In recent weeks, the USDA – which oversees the program – warned that SNAP funds for November could be in jeopardy if the shutdown continues. But in a prominent new message on its website as of Oct. 27, USDA said no benefits will be issued on Nov. 1. Read more.

– Melina Khan

Bessent says troops will start going without pay by Nov. 15 if shutdown continues

Active duty troops will start going without pay by Nov. 15 if lawmakers can't come to an agreement to end the government shutdown, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The Trump administration has moved Pentagon money around to pay military service members during the shutdown, but Bessent suggested the financial juggling act can't go on much longer.

"I think we'll be able to pay them beginning in November. But by November 15 our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren't going to be able to get paid," Bessent said Oct. 26 on CBS News.

Federal nutrition program at risk as Nov. 1 approaches

A federal nutrition program that provides food, education and counseling to at-risk children under 5 years old is at risk of running out of funds if the ongoing government shutdown continues into November.

The National WIC Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients, said on Oct. 21 that millions of families could lose their benefits come Nov. 1 without additional funding for the program.

The program, which also helps pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals, received emergency funds issued by the White House earlier in the month that temporarily kept the program running. Despite this, the nonprofit has warned that the emergency funding is only enough to sustain the program through Oct. 31, so people could lose access to their benefits beginning Nov. 1 if nothing changes.

– Melina Khan

More flight disruptions on horizon, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns

Travelers should prepare for more flight delays and cancelations, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, as the continuing shutdown further stresses air travel.

Duffy said on Fox News’ "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" that air traffic controllers are “wearing thin.”

“You’re going to see more staffing shortages in towers, which means you’re going to see more delays, more cancellations,” Duffy said.

The shutdown has compounded long-standing issues at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has grappled with significant staffing crunches for years. In May, Duffy said the FAA was short about 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.

What do Democrats and Republicans want for the government to reopen?

Currently, more than 24 million Americans are enrolled in ACA plans, also known as "Obamacare" and without the federal subsidies, which began during the pandemic, the average out-of-pocket premium payments are expected to double, from $888 a year to $1,904.

Democrats are pushing to ensure tax breaks for 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act and have refused to back a government spending bill that doesn’t address the issue.

The Senate Dems want to make the tax break permanent, which would otherwise expire at the end of the year, and provide reassurances to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.

Republicans and the president say they are open to considering a fix for the expiring ACA tax breaks, but want the issue addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse.

– Terry Moseley

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SNAP benefits won't go out next month, USDA says, as shutdown hits day 27: Live updates

Reporting by Kathryn Palmer and Zac Anderson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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