President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán next week, as confirmed by a White House official to CNN. This anticipated meeting follows the recent cancellation of a planned Trump-Putin summit, which was originally set to occur in Budapest. The cancellation came on the heels of the United States announcing sanctions against two of Russia's largest oil producers, a move aimed at crippling Russia's financial resources for its ongoing conflicts. However, these sanctions could have detrimental effects on Hungary's economy.
Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most EU countries have diversified their energy sources away from Russia. In stark contrast, Hungary's reliance on Russian energy has only intensified. This growing dependency raises concerns about the potential economic fallout from the U.S. sanctions.
In related news, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced today that he plans to support a Republican-led bill aimed at extending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. Schumer is pressuring Senate Republican leadership to bring this crucial bill to the floor for a vote.
Despite Schumer’s efforts, Senate GOP leader John Thune has indicated that the Senate will not entertain standalone bills as the shutdown continues. “A bill proposed by Sen. Josh Hawley, a conservative Republican, could ensure SNAP benefits are funded—gaining bipartisan support,” Schumer stated on the Senate floor. He expressed confidence that once the bill is presented, it is likely to pass quickly.
Hawley's bill aims to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits and has garnered support from ten Republican co-sponsors and one Democratic co-sponsor, Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont. In addition, Schumer highlighted another bill led by Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján that would finance the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as well as reimburse states and tribes for short-term SNAP funding.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected that the economic repercussions of the government shutdown will mostly reverse once it concludes, but there will still be lingering effects. The CBO estimates that GDP growth could decline by one to two percentage points in the affected quarter, resulting in an overall economic loss between $7 billion and $14 billion.
According to the CBO, “Economic activity at the end of 2025 will be lower due to the shutdown, driven by fewer services provided by federal workers, a drop in federal spending on goods and services, and a temporary reduction in aggregate demand affecting private sector output.” The precise impact of the shutdown will largely depend on the decisions made by the Administration during this period.
Jack Criss, a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller with 16 years of experience, told CNN that he has taken leave during the shutdown due to the uncertainty it creates. Criss, who is also a single father, emphasized the importance of being emotionally available for his daughter while managing the stress of his job. To ensure financial stability, he has turned to gig work, such as driving for DoorDash, to support his family.
“If I’m unable to provide for my child, then I consider myself a failure as a dad,” Criss explained. “I am doing whatever it takes to ensure my daughter has everything she needs.” As the shutdown continues, he and many federal workers face financial uncertainty and significant stress.
The FAA has reported its first air traffic control staffing problem since the shutdown began, with controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport facing staff shortages during peak hours. Since the start of the shutdown, at least 283 staffing issues have been documented by the FAA. Although not all staffing shortages lead to flight delays, some may necessitate slowing down flights to maintain safety standards.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that some air traffic controllers have called in sick in protest, while others are balancing multiple jobs to cope financially. Despite the challenges, air traffic controllers are classified as essential staff and are required to work during the shutdown without pay.
With the government shutdown now extending into its 29th day, millions of Americans are on the brink of losing access to essential food assistance programs, including SNAP. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has indicated that it lacks the necessary funds to distribute $8 billion in food stamp benefits for November, due to the ongoing funding impasse.
The USDA claims it cannot utilize its $6 billion contingency fund to cover these benefits, although many Democratic lawmakers argue that it should be obligated to do so. Beneficiaries will begin to feel the impact of the SNAP benefits halt starting November 1, with varying timelines for when payments will cease across different states.
Roughly 42 million Americans, or 1 in 8 citizens, received food stamps in May, with households that include children, elderly individuals, or persons with disabilities receiving the majority of these benefits. Approximately 39% of SNAP recipients are children, 20% are elderly, and 10% are non-elderly individuals with disabilities.
As the federal government faces this shutdown, some states are stepping in to assist their residents who rely on food assistance. For instance, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced plans for the state to develop its own food assistance system, while South Carolina is activating a statewide charity fund typically used for disaster relief.
Additionally, a coalition of 25 Democratic-led states, along with Washington, DC, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent significant cuts to federal food assistance set to take effect this weekend.
In another significant development, the Trump administration is ending the automatic extension of work permits for immigrants seeking renewal. This change could leave thousands of legally residing immigrants in a precarious situation regarding their employment status. Typically, immigrants are granted work permissions while their applications are being processed, allowing them to remain employed in the U.S.
However, the renewal process can be lengthy, and the administration's decision to eliminate automatic extensions will affect those who have submitted renewal applications but have yet to receive approval, raising concerns for both employees and employers.
Vice President JD Vance downplayed any potential rivalry with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding their aspirations for the 2028 presidential election, emphasizing their collaborative relationship. While Vance stated that his focus remains on fulfilling his role as vice president, President Trump has expressed optimism about a potential Rubio-Vance ticket, calling it “unstoppable.”
In the international arena, Trump is poised for a landmark meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which is viewed as a crucial opportunity for China to assert itself as an equal on the global stage. Both leaders are expected to discuss frameworks for managing their complex economic ties, amidst ongoing trade tensions.
As these significant political and economic events unfold, the implications for both domestic and international landscapes remain profound. The upcoming meetings and legislative efforts will be closely monitored as they could shape the trajectory of U.S. policies and its relationships on the global stage.
