Government shutdown 2019: News and updates for Saturday, Jan. 12

It's officially the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, as a battle over funding extends to its 22nd day. President Donald Trump insists on $5.7 billion to go toward a wall for border security, and Democrats insist he's not getting it and that there are better ways to secure the border. 

Here's a look at today's shutdown news: 

Impasse will likely last a few more days at least

The partial shutdown now tops the 1995-96 battle between a Newt Gingerich-led GOP and the Clinton administration. The shutdown will likely last at least 24 days, CNBC reported, because Congress doesn't reconvene until Monday. 

CNBC: The partial government shutdown is now the longest ever as Trump border wall fight rages on

CNN has the exact shutdown clock. 

Food stamp fears prompt unprecedented move

Stores are bracing for a rush of food stamp recipients as benefits will come a few weeks early, Politico reported. Amid fears that the program would run out of money in February, the USDA took advantage of an obscure rule to make the payments for February early.

"Many retailers are also trying to figure out how to best communicate with SNAP recipients, many of whom may be confused about why they’re getting extra benefits next week," Politico said. 

Politico: Billions in food stamp payments to come early because of shutdown

Trump backs off national emergency declaration, kind of

Fellow Republicans and advisers are warning Trump that declaring a national emergency to build the wall without congressional approval "does not justify the precedent it would set and the legal questions it could raise," the New York Times reported. 

Democrats have signaled they would sue if Trump does take that step. 

The president told reporters he wasn't looking to declare a national emergency, then said he would if he had to, the Times said. 

New York Times: Trump pulls back from declaring a national emergency to fund a wall

On Thursday, the White House had warned that the shutdown might not end even if Trump declared an emergency, Politico reported, quoting a former White House official as saying, "(Trump) could say, 'Look, I'm going to get what I want and then I'm still going to screw you.'"

Politico: White House warns shutdown could carry on after emergency declaration

How is the shutdown affecting food safety?

About 8,000 slaughterhouses and meat processors in the U.S. must have a government inspector on-site, NPR reported, but not to worry: Inspectors in the Department of Agriculture are working through the shutdown. 

The Food and Drug Administration is also taking care of food safety during the shutdown, NPR said. 

NPR: Don't panic: The government shutdown isn't making food unsafe

Identity theft victims among those impacted by shutdown

The Federal Trade Commission typically gets thousands of complaints about identity theft per week, according to data reported by NBC, but it's not handling calls during the shutdown. Those looking to file complaints or get advice will have to wait. 

NBC: Shutdown blocks help for identity theft victims, as FTC goes dark

See the shutdown effects explained visually

Talk of numbers of departments and percentages of employees can be confusing. Vox has broken down the shutdown and its impact on the government in helpful graphics, under a perhaps overstated headline. 

Vox:The astonishing effects of the shutdown, in 8 charts

More shutdown coverage: 

At least 500 federal workers in Delaware go without paychecks because of shutdown

Homebuyers, farmers frustrated by 'children in Washington'

Tax returns, home loans and other ways the government shutdown could affect you