The federal government shutdown dragged into its fifth week on Wednesday, with Democrats and Republicans remaining firmly entrenched in their positions, even as the threat of food aid expiring for 42 million Americans and repeated legislative failures ratchet up the pressure.

A key deadline looms on Saturday, when funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to run out. The impending crisis has prompted legal action : 26 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday.

They argue that the law requires the government to provide SNAP funds for November and that the administration is unlawfully withholding benefits.

Adding to the legislative deadlock, the Senate on Tuesday failed for the 13th time to advance

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