NIKOLE KILLION:
00:00:21
An extraordinary admission from the Agriculture secretary when we asked her what her message was to the millions of Americans who could lose their SNAP benefits soon? My message to America is, first, the fact that your government is failing you right now. If you are in a position where you can't feed your family and you're relying on that $187 a month for an average family in the SNAP program, that we have failed you.
NIKOLE KILLION:
00:00:52
Later, a federal judge ordered the Agriculture Department to continue paying for food stamps during the shutdown, but it was unclear when that money would arrive. Roughly one in eight Americans rely on SNAP. More than half of recipients are children and the elderly. Other social safety net programs could also see funding lapses like WIC and Head Start. This center outside of Madison, Wisconsin, celebrated Halloween early before closing its doors today due to the government shutdown. I love my kids.
NIKOLE KILLION:
00:01:24
Stephanie Wallace has been teaching here for 13 years, now furloughed until further notice. I never thought this was could ever happen.
NIKOLE KILLION:
00:01:33
It's one of approximately 140 Head Start programs that will not receive federal funds beginning November 1, impacting roughly 65,000 kids nationwide. It's got a ripple-out effect, right? Because it's not just the closure of Head Start. It's also the loss of SNAP benefits. There's a bunch of compounding factors happening.
NIKOLE KILLION:
00:01:53
Another key deadline this weekend? More than 20 million people could face higher health insurance premiums when open enrollment begins under the Affordable Care Act, with prices expected to rise by as much as 114%. Democrats have called for an extension of tax subsidies, but Republicans, including the president, said they must reopen the government first. Today, we asked people around the country, what they think of the stalemate in Washington? I'm tired of hearing the Republicans say it's the Democrats or the Democrats saying, the Republicans. Just get in there, get it done. It's absolutely ridiculous. And it's embarrassing as a country. The president said he would be willing to meet with Democrats, but he's also suggested going around them, urging Senate Republicans to go nuclear and require a simple majority vote to end the shutdown. Nikole, back to today's ruling on SNAP benefits-- a pair of rulings. Has the administration responding tonight? Well, President Trump just responded a short time ago. He says he's asking his lawyers to get clarification from the court about how it can legally fund SNAP. And he said if it gets the appropriate direction, it would be his honor to provide the funding.
