The longest U.S. government shutdown to date is coming to an end. But the fights over the disintegrating safety net that drove it remain unresolved.
To force an end to the shutdown, President Trump attempted to cancel all November SNAP benefits, effectively weaponizing hunger on the eve of Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. But even with the shutdown resolved, Reyanna James notes this week, millions of families with see their benefits cut anyway under the draconian cuts in the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which start going into effect for SNAP now.
That law also cut Medicaid by $1 trillion and allowed Affordable Care Act health care subsidies to expire, which together could cost 17 million Americans their health care. As Marcia Dinkins writes, those cuts could especially devastate rural America. “Rural areas already experience slow care — but with the cuts, we will have no care,” she warns.
Also this week, Jeremy Saunders explains how the White House may force states to punish homeless people as a condition for federal aid — a policy now being work-shopped in Utah, which was formerly considered a national leader for housing people effectively and humanely. And A.J. Schumann points out that, far from bringing back jobs for U.S. citizens, Trump’s crackdown on immigrant workers coincides with the worst labor market in years.
New This Week…
Even with the Shutdown Ending, Millions Will Lose Food Aid | Reyanna James
The GOP budget bill passed earlier this year includes the largest cuts to SNAP in history. And those cuts are starting now.
Without Medicaid, Many Rural Americans Will Die | Marcia Dinkins
The attacks on Medicaid aren’t just policy choices — they’re signing people’s death certificates before they ever see a physician.
A Dangerous New Approach to Homelessness | Jeremy Saunders
The most effective approach to homelessness is simply to house people. But some states — and the White House — want to lock them up instead.
Mass Deportations Aren’t Helping Workers. They’re Tanking The Economy. | A.J. Schumann
Trump claimed immigrants were “taking your jobs.” But during his brutal crackdown, the job market has only gotten worse.
In Case You Missed It…
Rural America Has a Plan. Congress Needs to Show Up. | Michael Chameides
Five ways lawmakers can deliver for rural America — not just corporations and the wealthy.
States Must Learn the Lessons of the Great Recession Before It’s Too Late | Amber Wallin
The GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is going to cause major pain in statehouses. Lawmakers need to prepare now.
Trump Is Hollowing Out America’s Only Agency for Minority Business | Dedrick Asante-Muhammad and Eric Morrissette
Businesses owned by rural Americans, women, and veterans — and their communities — will also be impacted.
It’s Not Only the White House Getting Demolished. Trump’s Gutting Affordable Housing, Too. | Farrah Hassen | Nov 5, 2025
President Trump’s proposed housing policies would put hundreds of thousands of Americans out on the streets.
