The US government shutdown has reached its 36th day, marking the longest closure in American history, as it began on 1 October after Congress failed to agree on a new funding deal. The deadlock has left hundreds of thousands of government workers without pay and millions of Americans without essential services.
Democrats and Republicans have remained divided for weeks, showing little progress toward a compromise. However, some signs of optimism have appeared. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said his “gut” told him a resolution might be near. “I just think, based on, sort of, my gut of how these things operate, I think we’re getting close to an off-ramp here,” Thune said.
Mounting Economic and Social Impacts
The previous record shutdown lasted 35 days during Donald Trump’s first term in 2019. Since this latest closure began, its effects on daily life have worsened, as thousands of federal workers have missed paychecks, while growing fears surround disruptions to US air travel.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that parts of American airspace might have to close if the shutdown continues, with about 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay. “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. You’ll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it.”
Low-income Americans have also felt the strain, with one in eight people in the US depending on food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Only limited payments have been distributed this month due to lapsed funding.
A court recently ordered the Trump administration to release contingency funds for SNAP benefits. Trump, however, pushed back, posting on Truth Social, “[Snap benefits] will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government… and not before.” Despite his comments, the White House confirmed it would comply with the court’s ruling.
Negotiations Continue with No Breakthrough
Senators have voted over a dozen times on a short-term funding bill to reopen the government, but every effort has failed. Democrats demand that Republicans agree to extend healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, while Republicans accuse Democrats of stalling over unrelated issues.
Thune warned that time is running out to reach a deal before Thanksgiving on 27 November, stating: “If we don’t start seeing progress by midweek, it’s hard to see how we finish anything by the end of the week.”
As both sides exchange blame, moderate lawmakers from both parties have begun signaling readiness to negotiate, offering a faint glimmer of hope for millions affected nationwide.
