Government shutdown risks food benefits for 7 million, Biden aide warns

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warned that a government shutdown could impact nutritional assistance for nearly 7 million low-income women and children who rely on benefits. Vilsack stated that some benefits, including those from the WIC and SNAP programs, could be affected within days or weeks if funding is not provided by Congress. He emphasized the negative consequences of a shutdown, such as reduced benefits, halted loans to farmers, and furloughed Department of Agriculture workers.