Congressional Democrats are marching in lockstep into the fourth week of a government shutdown, even as lawmakers brace for what could be the most painful point yet — a cutoff in federal food aid for 40 million people.

As the government shutdown halts SNAP benefits, Florida families like Brittany Bucknor's are bracing for hardship and uncertainty over how to keep food on the table.

Advocates say with the SNAP suspension, Alabamians “are being put in a position where we are being forced to choose between health care and food,” said Carol Gundlach, senior policy analyst at Alabama Arise, a nonprofit that advocates for policies to improve poverty in the state.

Gov. Dan McKee on Tuesday, Oct 28 will announce "new actions" to help Rhode Islanders when federal food aid ends at the start of next month due to the government shutdown.

A critical food assistance program will soon halt for millions of Americans in need and air traffic controllers will miss a paycheck this week as the government shutdown enters its fourth week -- with all eyes on congressional lawmakers to see if the added pressure will be enough to push them to strike a deal.

The battle over food stamps has emerged as the latest flash point in the fierce partisan clash over government spending. Republicans in Congress are increasingly highlighting the imminent shortfall facing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in a bid to pressure Democrats to help end the ongoing shutdown.

More than 200 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter Friday to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging her to use the contingency fund to continue the program.

SNAP, also known as food stamps, is fully funded by the federal government and helps about 86,000 Utah households buy food each month, the state said. With the continual government shutdown, that aid will cease.