**Federal Shutdown Affects Workers and Services in Washington, D.C.**

In a bustling neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Isaac Stein is serving hot dogs instead of working as a lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service. Stein began his hot dog venture in September as a weekend project, but after being furloughed due to the ongoing government shutdown, he now operates his stall during the week. "I feel really supported by the community here, I really love being here," Stein said, noting that many of his regular customers are fellow federal employees also affected by the shutdown.

The current government shutdown, which has lasted just over a month, is the second-longest on record. It stems from a political impasse between the Democratic Party and the Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump. As a result, nearly all federal employees are not receiving paychecks.

The shutdown has led to the closure of museums and national parks across the country. Essential services, including air traffic control and mail delivery, are either halted or being managed by workers who will not be compensated until the government reopens. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture has announced it can no longer fund monthly grocery stipends under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports about 42 million Americans.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, stating that halting SNAP payments would be unlawful. However, it remains uncertain whether the Department of Agriculture will comply with the ruling. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated that government lawyers believe the payments cannot be legally made and called for clarification from the court. He attributed the delays to the Democrats.

Trump has been vocal in the shutdown discussions, urging Republican leaders to consider the "nuclear option" of eliminating the filibuster, which requires 60 votes in the Senate to advance legislation. This procedural hurdle has prevented Republicans, who hold a majority in the Senate, from passing their funding legislation. Senate Republican leader John Thune has opposed scrapping the filibuster, maintaining his stance despite Trump's pressure.

The shutdown is also impacting health insurance costs for Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As the enrollment period approaches, many are facing increased premiums due to the expiration of tax credits that previously helped make insurance more affordable. Democrats are insisting that any new funding must include an extension of these tax credits, while Republicans are unwilling to negotiate until the government is reopened.

The uncertainty surrounding SNAP funding and health insurance costs is expected to heighten pressure on lawmakers to reach a resolution. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept the House in recess since September, awaiting a funding bill from the Senate. Some Republican members are reportedly growing uneasy with the extended break.

Stein, who hopes to return to his office job soon, expressed his eagerness to resume his legal career. "As soon as I'm called in to work, I'm going to be going in at the first available opportunity," he said. "I very much look forward to getting back to my office job and continuing this as the weekend project it was intended to be."