ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The ongoing government shutdown has reached its 27th day, making it the second longest in U.S. history. The House passed a continuing resolution in September, but it remains stalled in the Senate.

As the shutdown continues, nearly 2 million people in Illinois may lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by Saturday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is unable to release the funds due to legal restrictions during the shutdown.

Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois), who sits on the House Agriculture Committee, stated, "The funding exists. The funding is appropriated. But it is sitting in the USDA and they’re choosing not to give it out so it doesn’t really have anything to do with the government shutdown."

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