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US government shutdown becomes longest in history at 36 days
The partial closure of the US federal government entered its 36th day on Wednesday, surpassing the previous 35-day record set in 2019 under Donald Trump's presidency. The ongoing impasse, triggered by Congress's failure to approve a funding agreement since 1 October, has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay and disrupted critical public services nationwide.
Gridlock persists despite faint signs of progress
Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans remain stalled, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) suggested a potential breakthrough might be near. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Thune acknowledged the urgency of resolving the deadlock before the Thanksgiving holiday on 27 November.
"I just think, based on my gut of how these things operate, I think we're getting close to an off-ramp here," Thune said, hinting at possible movement in the coming days.
However, he cautioned that without visible progress by midweek, a resolution before the weekend would be unlikely. "If we don't start seeing some evidence of that by at least the middle of this week, it's hard to see how we would finish anything by the end of the week," he added.
Air travel disruptions loom as shutdown drags on
The shutdown's ripple effects are escalating, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of imminent chaos in US airspace. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers-deemed essential employees-have been working without pay since October, raising concerns about safety and operational capacity.
"If you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos," Duffy told Fox News. "You will see mass flight delays, mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has yet to implement closures, but industry analysts fear disruptions could peak during the Thanksgiving travel surge, one of the busiest periods for US airlines.
Food assistance cuts deepen hardship for low-income families
The shutdown has also strained the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports one in eight Americans. While a federal court ordered the release of contingency funds to partially restore November benefits-overriding the Trump administration's initial refusal-uncertainty lingers. President Trump later suggested on Truth Social that SNAP payments would only resume if Democrats "open up government," though the White House later clarified it would comply with the court's ruling.
Stalled votes and partisan blame
The Senate has repeatedly failed to advance a short-term funding bill passed by the House in September, with Democrats insisting on tying government reopening to an extension of healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans. Republicans, in turn, accuse Democrats of leveraging the shutdown to push unrelated policy demands.
With the House's original bill set to expire on 21 November-a deadline now rendered obsolete by the prolonged standoff-lawmakers face mounting pressure to draft a new compromise. Moderates from both parties have signaled willingness to negotiate, but leadership remains divided over concessions.
What's next
Key developments to watch:
- Midweek deadline: Thune's timeline suggests a critical window for progress by Thursday (7 November) to avert further disruptions.
- Thanksgiving travel: Air traffic controllers' union has warned of potential walkouts if pay issues persist, risking delays during the 27 November holiday.
- SNAP funding: Advocacy groups are monitoring whether the administration fully adheres to the court order amid Trump's contradictory statements.
The objective, Thune emphasized, is to "send something back to the House that would open up the government" before the shutdown's impacts become irreversible.
