PNN – U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has warned that the continued federal government shutdown will have severe consequences for the American people.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Vance wrote on X that what the Democrats are doing regarding the shutdown is unprecedented. “So far, the administration has protected Americans from the worst effects, but the consequences of continued closures are on the way and will soon become evident,” he said.
He added that in the aviation sector, the shutdown has caused widespread flight delays across the country, creating an emergency situation. He noted that food stamp funding and other assistance programs for vulnerable Americans are running out, while military and national security forces are under heavy budgetary strain. “The government shutdown has turned from a farce into a tragedy,” he said, adding that all senators and representatives refusing to reopen the government will bear responsibility for triggering a national emergency.
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Federal court ruling “irrational”
According to The Hill, Vance also told Central Asian leaders during a meeting at the White House that the federal court ruling was “ridiculous.” He said, “A federal judge, in the middle of a government shutdown caused by the Democrats, is now trying to dictate our actions.”
Vance added, “What we want is for the Democrats to reopen the government. Then we can fund food assistance and do good things for the American people. But during a shutdown, a federal court cannot tell the president how to set priorities.”
He said the White House would attempt to fund certain parts of the government during the shutdown but would do so according to its own policies.
Earlier on Thursday, federal judge John McConnell rejected the administration’s plan for partial payments without additional funding, saying it violated his previous ruling. The Justice Department announced that it would appeal the decision—a move that has cast uncertainty over food aid for millions of Americans.
The Trump administration had planned to completely halt food assistance for about 42 million people starting this month due to the shutdown. The decision prompted two lawsuits demanding that the payments continue.
Last week, Judge McConnell ordered the government to at least use the $5 billion SNAP reserve fund, but that amount is insufficient to cover all of November’s costs, estimated at over $9 billion.
The Trump administration is seeking ways to reallocate funds to cover expenses such as military salaries and nutrition programs for women and infants. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during the shutdown, the number of flights at some airports will be reduced.