Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman.
This is the 23rd day of the federal government shutdown.
It comes as Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley completed one of the longest floor speeches in the history of the U.S.
Senate yesterday.
He criticized the Trump administration.
NPR's Sam Greenglass reports the speech lasted for more than 22 hours.
Senator Merkley did not break the record set earlier this year by fellow Democrat Cory Booker,
but the Senate Press Gallery says the remarks are the fourth longest in Senate history.
We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the civil war.
The stunt comes as lawmakers are at an impasse on ending the government shutdown.
Republican Senator John Barrasso chastised Merkley
for keeping staff overnight as they go without pay.
I come to the floor today to ask a simple question.
What did Democrats actually accomplish?
After the speech, Merkley chugged a Gatorade,
then the Senate failed to advance a funding measure for the 12th time.
Sam Kringlas, NPR News, Washington.
Several states are warning the federal government shutdown means that millions of Americans across the country are going to lose food assistance.
That cutoff comes in a little more than a week.
Heather Williams lives in Houston and says her family's choices are dire.