USDA Says It Can’t Use School Lunch Money for Food Stamps

A member of the National Guard packs food at a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank facility, as nearly 42 million Americans face a potential lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as food stamps, due to the second-longest U.S. government shutdown, in Los Angeles on Oct. 29, 2025. Daniel Cole/Reuters The Trump administration

Thune says he’s “optimistic” about ending government shutdown this week

Walking to the Senate floor, Thune was asked by a reporter if he was “optimistic of the deal to open the government this week” and whether there had been “progress over the weekend.” “I’m optimistic,” Thune said. “Confident?” the reporter asked. “Don’t push it,” Thune replied, laughing. Returning from the floor, Thune expanded on his