Nov. 1 is a big day in the government shutdown—here’s why

Saturday is Nov. 1, and Nov. 1 is when the monthlong federal government shutdown—assuming it hasn’t been lifted—will become very personal and very real.

There are two big reasons for that.

First: Nov. 1 is when SNAP benefits will end for 42 million Americans, the first time it will have ever happened.

That includes 267,000 Iowans who won’t have that food benefit for themselves—40% of whom are children—starting this weekend.

Iowa’s food banks, already strapped this time of year (and because of rising food costs), are sounding the alarm.

“November is always the busiest month in the food bank and food pantry world,” said Kathy Underhill with the Des Moines Area Religious Council. “If SNAP benefits do not go out on time, in November, the capacity of food banks and food pantries will be pushed to their very limits.”

Second: Nov. 1 is also the date when Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins, and because enhanced tax credits have not been extended, premiums are rising by an average of 18%. That could mean tens of thousands of dollars more in annual premiums—leaving more than 24 million Americans, and 150,000 Iowans, with hard decisions to make.

Those health insurance premiums are, in fact, what the shutdown fight is about.

Democrats are withholding their votes to reopen the government unless the enhanced tax credits are extended. Republicans, who have never liked Obamacare yet have no plan to fix it, are so far refusing to do so.

“A dramatic increase in 2026 health care premiums for thousands of rural Iowans will crash individual family budgets and intensify the economic crisis across rural Iowa,” Aaron Lehman and Matt Russell with the Iowa Farmers Union wrote in a recent Des Moines Register op-ed.

Oh, and Iowa’s thousands of federal workers also won’t get their paychecks Nov. 1. But don’t worry: Trump and Congress will still get paid, and Trump’s gilded ballroom construction will continue!

What to do?

• Contact Iowa’s two senators and your representative and give them a piece of your mind,
• Donate to your local food pantry or a mutual aid group,
• Buy groceries for a friend or neighbor who is losing SNAP this month.

Are you affected by SNAP benefits being cut off, or ACA premiums going up? Do you have more ideas on how to help our neighbors? Email me.