On November 11, 2025 the United States government opened up 43 days since October 1, 2025. During the 2nd shutdown under President Trump’s administration, there has been much discourse on how citizens will be cared for, debates of food, and new mandates from Congress. For the 2025 holiday season a change in transportation and sources of food will be a heavy burden on US citizens in order to navigate easily. Since drastic changes have occurred while the United States government was in its shutdown- how does that affect US citizens and students in the 2025 holiday season?
Allison Beers, an advanced placement English teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt high school took flights with her family for the Thanksgiving season. Having to depart from Baltimore/Washington International Airport to arrive in Minneapolis’ she “took four flights total” in which all were full with passengers. Ms. Beers’ experience with traveling near the holiday season was “really good” due to fewer people who traveled weeks prior towards Thanksgiving. She experienced “having no line in security at all” and was satisfied with her flights “[taking] off and landing on time”. Having such a pleasant experience, Ms. Beers also mentions her sister who “had not been planning to fly to DC” for the holiday season, now managed to book tickets for her entire family. Ms. Beers’ flight experience was reasonable, also acknowledging the idea of people “being nervous about getting flights” amidst the government’s reopening.
Using planes to fly might be subjective to some US citizens. It is very important to be consistent in buying tickets and following through preparation prior to flights. Regardless on the capacity, location, or expenses, air travel can still be a pleasant experience to use consistently. The debate of money is also subject to change for funded government agencies, but try your very best to ensure such services work for you as they want to for everyone internationally!
The Supplement Nutrition Assistant Program was cut in November 2025 as addressed in the Big Beautiful Bill, written into law on July 4, 2025. The US department of Agriculture helps give out the SNAP program to then be administered by each state to recipients. The purpose of the SNAP program is to provide resources to US citizens under crisis. These programs were a big aid in the Covid-19 outbreak while administered under president Joe Biden’s administration. As the biggest holiday seasons in the year come fast, the SNAP program is also used to buy mass amounts of food for families celebrating. This money was to be collected from families in EBT cards for them to use to cover mass purchases from supermarkets.
In the state of Maryland, Governor Wes Moore declared an emergency on November 5. The administration of Moore’s agreed to fund ten million dollars to food assistance programs in Maryland due to the halt of SNAP by the federal government. Of course these food banks will be at a very increased demand, but also requested the Department of Human Services to work with all the food banks in order to fulfill the increasing needs of Maryland citizens. Major food banks such as Maintaining Maryland Market (MMM), Maryland Food Bank, and Capital Area Food Bank are all resources that are helpful to families seeking immediate access to food and other necessities. The food insecurity also brought attention to the Maryland Department of Education to provide access to warm meals for K-12 students after and before school. Older adults are also eligible to have meals delivered to them using a program near their location.
The new policies that have been written might not be discovered by people who are in need of them until it is too late. Check with your state governor to see updates and their concern about the new mandates written and agreed by the President and Congress. And Marylanders, don’t forget to utilize everything you have to the best of your ability!
