White House uses USDA funds to open offices during shutdown

The administration is tapping into the Commodity Credit Corporation, an agency within the Agriculture Department, to reopen key offices nationwide that help farmers and ranchers access federal aid.

The USDA says about 2,100 Farm Service Agency offices will be open, with two workers at each office, even though the government shutdown continues and no federal workers are getting paid, unless the administration finds an alternate way to do so.

A White House official says the money to reopen the offices is coming from the CCC, which is allowed to borrow money from Treasury to help stabilize prices. The person was granted anonymity to speak about the administration’s plans that were not yet publicized.

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What Republicans are calling the ‘Schumer Shutdown’ continues as Democrats in the U.S. Senate voted for a 12th time since Oct. 1 to keep the federal government shut down.

The Senate voted 54-46 to keep the government shutdown. The Senate needs 60 votes to pass a funding bill. Republicans support the measure, but not all Democratic lawmakers do.

This is the second-longest federal shutdown since 1981.  The longest shutdown stretched for 35 days.

AUDIO: High Hewitt interview with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD)

PHOTO-President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)