MN Senate hears shutdown’s toll on TSA, WIC
At an Oct. 30 hearing of the Minnesota Senate’s Subcommittee on Federal Impacts, union leaders said MSP TSA agents are missing rent and taking home donated food boxes, while advocates warned Minnesota’s WIC funds (about $9M/month) will last only through the third week of November. State officials cited diminished communication with USDA and Attorney General Keith Ellison said a judge is expected to rule soon in the 25‑state lawsuit seeking to restore SNAP during the shutdown.
📌 Key Facts
- AFGE: ~18,000 federal workers in MN; ~1,000 are TSA agents; some face $50/day rent late fees starting Nov. 1
- Children’s Defense Fund: WIC funds projected to last only through the third week of November in Minnesota
- AG Ellison: court ruling expected soon in multi‑state SNAP suit; USDA contingency plan removed from its website per state testimony