The Latest Breaking News from John Thune

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump over an impending lapse in food assistance, accusing the White House of "using Americans as hostages" by refusing to extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on Nov. 1 while the government shutdown grinds on.

NEWS ANALYSIS: The whole exchange in the Senate about SNAP shows nobody is serious about stopping people from going hungry. Eric Garcia writes that Democrats aren’t blameless, but Trump bears the most responsibility

Lawmakers face building pressure to end the partial government shutdown ahead of critical deadlines for food stamps and health care.

Republican leaders say Democrats are trying to gain political cover for the shutdown by demanding relief on food stamp issue.

Vice president ‘bombarded’ with questions from Republicans about agreement to ramp up meat imports from Argentina, which they fear could adversely impact American ranchers

It's an attempt to make Republicans own more of the acute and escalating pain.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Division within the GOP caucus over food stamps could give Democrats a key opening to ramp up the pressure on Republicans to make concessions and earn their votes to end the shutdown, John Bowden and Eric Garcia report

As funding for food aid program is about to be exhausted, Congress fails for 13th time to advance Republican bill

If Democrats want "to pay SNAP recipients, open the government," Thune said.

Risch told Axios he has been briefed and is "comfortable with where we are."

Leading Senate Republicans want to vote on bills to pressure Russia in Ukraine peace talks, but it’s not clear if Trump will go along.