Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman.
The federal government shutdown is nearly four weeks old.
It's the second-longest closure on record.
Paychecks for members of the U.S. military and federal food services are set to stop.
NPR's Luke Garrett reports Congress is showing few signs of a breakthrough.
The Department of Agriculture says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,
or SNAP, will end food assistance by November 1st.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant tells ABC News funds are running out to pay the troops.
We're going to be out of money.
on November 15th.
And for a military not to get paid is a disgrace.
Republicans and Democrats can't agree on how to fund the government or whether to extend health care benefits.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tells CBS News Democrats want to negotiate.
There is an urgent need to reopen the government,
which is why we continue to demand that Republicans sit at the negotiating table.
President Trump and Republican leaders say they won't negotiate until Democrats first vote to reopen the government.
Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.
The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Melissa is now the strongest possible storm,
a Category 5 hurricane.
Top sustained winds are at 160 miles per hour, and it's aiming directly for Jamaica.