Speaker Mike Johnson has informed House Republicans that there are currently no plans to introduce a standalone bill to extend the expiring food aid benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the deadline looms and political tensions increase. During a private call on Tuesday, Johnson emphasized the urgency of the situation, telling his party members to remain unified as the pressure intensifies on Democrats with the impending shutdown consequences set to kick in by November 1.

"Things are getting real this week," Johnson stated, preparing his colleagues for the serious impacts of the ongoing government shutdown. He highlighted the dire situation that 42 million low-income Americans will face this weekend as SNAP benefits are set to dry up. "The pain register is about to hit level 10," he added, expressing deep regret for the hardship but criticizing Democratic tactics.

The internal GOP call, details of which were disclosed by four anonymous sources, also featured heated exchanges. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia vocally criticized the White House's political team and expressed frustration over the Republican party's failure to uphold "America First" principles. Meanwhile, Representative Kevin Kiley of California voiced his concerns about the strategic decision to keep the House out of session for over a month, a move aimed at pressuring Democrats to pass the stopgap spending bill the House had already approved.

Johnson reiterated that the Senate would revisit the stopgap bill but dismissed any possibility of voting on standalone bills to ensure continued funding for food assistance or federal worker salaries. He noted that increasing pressure from key unions and the critical issues such as SNAP funding shortages and air travel delays could potentially sway some centrist Democrats in the Senate to end the shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed Johnson's sentiments, indicating a lack of interest among Senate members to pass individual funding extensions, commonly referred to as "carve-outs." Thune stressed that the optimal solution for resolving the standoff would be a comprehensive vote to reopen the government.

As the crisis unfolds, the strategy employed by House Republicans aims to place the burden of the shutdown on Democrats, hoping that the accumulating pressures will lead to a resolution favorable to the GOP's legislative agenda.