None of this is normal. Food-stamp benefits have never been cut like this in the current program’s more-than-60-year history. “It is a significant inflection point in the program’s history,” Christopher Bosso, a political scientist at Northeastern University who wrote a book on SNAP, told me. “Where we go from here is anyone’s guess.”

President Trump said he wouldn't pay food stamp benefits until government reopens, contradicting the USDA and potentially defying court order.

The USDA said it would provide partial food stamp benefits for November, but it's unclear exactly when participants will get those funds.

For some voters on Tuesday the trimming and delay of benefits under the federal food aid program known as SNAP was helping inform who would get their support.

Food pantries remain unusually busy as it's unclear how soon SNAP payments will arrive amid the government shutdown.

The action comes two days after states sued the federal agency that administers SNAP benefits. Funds were set to stop flowing Saturday.

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley blasted the Trump administration for advocating for SNAP work requirements as the government shutdown continues.

Many online claimed Vance himself benefited from food stamps as a child, and accused him of hypocrisy, while other posts claimed members of his family benefited from food assistance programs.

In an unprecedented situation, millions of Americans could lose access to a crucial food assistance program in the coming weeks amid the federal government shutdown.

None of this is normal. Food-stamp benefits have never been cut like this in the current program’s more-than-60-year history. “It is a significant inflection point in the program’s history,” Christopher Bosso, a political scientist at Northeastern University who wrote a book on SNAP, told me. “Where we go from here is anyone’s guess.”