Let's turn now to the government shutdown that is continuing with no end in sight.

Millions of Americans are on the verge of losing access to food assistance known as SNAP, often referred to as food stamps, as early as next week.

SNAP serves 42 million people, and at least half of all states say they won't be able to extend food assistance to make up the gap.

Many food aid groups feel the government is legally obligated to provide funding to snap.

But in a notice on its website, the U.S. Department of Agriculture blamed Senate Democrats and said,

quote, bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued

November 1st. Joining me now is Sharon Parrott.

She's president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That's a left-leaning think tank

that's focused on these issues. Sharon, thanks for joining us. So as Jeff just mentioned,

42 million Americans who rely on these benefits. What do we know about who will be impacted,

how they'll be impacted,

and when if this runs out November 1st? Yeah, thanks so much. Forty-two million Americans

get help every month to be able to afford groceries at the grocery store. They are families

with children. They are seniors. They are people with disabilities. They are seniors. They are people with disabilities.

They are veterans. They are workers whose low pay isn't enough to make ends meet.

It is a broad swath of people. And what they have in common is they just lack enough income to be able to afford food.

The SNAP program provides pretty modest benefits, only about $6.25 per day per person.

But it is critical, critical assistance that makes the difference in people being able to put dinner on the table

every night. And Sharon, do we know if beneficiaries tend to be concentrated more in certain states,

certain regions, red or blue states? Where are they? Now, people receive SNAP in every part of

the country and in every state. It's a vital support for people in rural communities,

as well as urban communities and suburban communities, in red states and in blue states. And

...