**Johnson Warns “Things Are Going to Become Very Dark” as SNAP Benefits Lapse Amid Government Shutdown**
The federal government is currently experiencing its second-longest shutdown after Congress repeatedly failed to pass a temporary funding bill. The 2025 shutdown is approaching the record set by the 2018-2019 shutdown, which lasted 34 days during President Trump’s first term.
On September 19, the House passed a bill intended to keep the government funded through November 21. However, the GOP-led Senate did not advance the measure that same day. Since the funding lapse began on October 1, the Senate has conducted multiple votes, but Republicans have been unable to secure enough Democratic support to advance the resolution.
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### Shutdown by the Numbers
**13:** The number of times the Senate has held failed votes to end the shutdown
Since October 1, the Senate has voted 13 times on the House-passed funding resolution. With 100 senators (53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 independents who caucus with Democrats), 60 votes are required to overcome the filibuster and advance the bill. Despite 55 votes in favor, the measure remains five votes short.
**52:** Senate Republicans supporting the funding resolution
Almost all Republican senators support the measure to end the shutdown.
**43:** Senate Democrats/Independents opposed, plus 1 Republican
GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky joins most Democrats in opposing the funding resolution, citing concerns over increasing national debt.
**3:** Senate Democrats/Independents supporting the resolution
Sens. John Fetterman (PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), and independent Sen. Angus King (ME) have voted with Republicans to fund the government.
**5:** Number of senators needed to change their votes to advance the resolution
Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the need for five Democrats to “show a little courage” and reopen the government.
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### Impact on SNAP Benefits
**42 million:** Americans reliant on food stamps facing an abrupt cutoff November 1
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, delivered via electronic benefit transfer cards, support approximately 42 million Americans. With SNAP funding set to stop amid the shutdown, 25 states have petitioned a federal judge in Massachusetts to order continued benefits through a contingency fund.
**$9.2 billion:** Estimated cost to fund SNAP benefits for November
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted that funding November’s SNAP benefits would cost approximately $9.2 billion. The Department of Agriculture’s contingency fund contains around $5 billion, which the administration argues it cannot legally access.
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### Federal Workforce Impact
**670,000:** Federal workers furloughed since the shutdown began
Furloughed employees have been sent home without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
**730,000:** Federal employees working without pay
Essential workers continue their duties despite not receiving paychecks.
**4,000+:** Federal workers notified for layoffs during the shutdown
The Trump administration sent “reduction in force” notices to over 4,000 federal employees across seven agencies. However, a judge barred firing government workers during the shutdown pending litigation.
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### Additional Financial and Economic Effects
**$130 million:** Private donation to cover military payroll
Former President Trump announced a $130 million donation from an unnamed “patriot” to fund military paychecks during the shutdown. The New York Times identified the donor as Timothy Mellon, a billionaire heir to the Mellon banking fortune. However, this amount only covers roughly $100 per active-duty service member, far less than the full payroll needed for 1.3 million troops.
**$7 billion+:** Estimated economic cost of the shutdown
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the shutdown could reduce U.S. economic output by billions, causing a 1-percentage-point drop in GDP if it lasts four weeks and a 2-point drop if extended to eight weeks. Although some economic activity will resume after reopening, the CBO predicts a sustained GDP loss of $7 billion after four weeks, $11 billion after six weeks, and $14 billion after eight weeks.
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The ongoing government shutdown continues to affect millions of Americans, from federal employees to SNAP recipients, with mounting economic and social consequences as negotiations stall in the Senate.
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*Watch the full video: Johnson warns “things are going to become very dark” as the SNAP shutdown begins.*
https://wtop.com/national/2025/11/the-2025-u-s-government-shutdown-by-the-numbers/
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