US Government Shutdown Becomes Longest Ever

The United States government shutdown entered its record-breaking phase Wednesday, surpassing the 35-day deadlock that marked Donald Trump’s first term, as mounting fears of travel disruption and welfare delays grip the nation.

Federal operations have been partially paralyzed since October 1 after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, leaving 1.4 million workers — from air traffic controllers to park wardens — either on unpaid leave or working without salaries.

As the impasse deepens, the Trump administration has warned of possible “mass chaos” at airports if the standoff extends beyond another week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that staff shortages could ground flights and close parts of U.S. airspace.

“If this continues another week, you’ll see mass flight delays, cancellations, and potentially airspace shutdowns,” Duffy said during a press briefing in Philadelphia.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has projected a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period, with about 5.8 million passengers expected to fly domestically. But over 60,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay — heightening fears of absenteeism and disruptions reminiscent of the 2019 shutdown.

Political Standoff Over Health Care

The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, stems from a bitter dispute between Democrats and Republicans over health care spending. Democrats have vowed not to approve funding until expiring insurance subsidies — which make health care affordable for millions — are extended.

Republicans, however, insist the issue can only be addressed after Congress votes to reopen the government.

While party leaders remain entrenched, a few moderates in both chambers are reportedly exploring a bipartisan compromise. A small group of House members unveiled a framework earlier this week aimed at lowering insurance premiums and ending the stalemate.

Trump, for his part, remains defiant. In a recent interview with CBS News, he rejected calls for negotiation, saying he would “not be extorted.”

The president also threatened to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides grocery aid to 42 million Americans — a move courts have temporarily blocked. The White House later clarified that it would continue partial payments “as much as we can and as quickly as we can.”

With welfare programs hanging in limbo and air travel chaos looming, millions of Americans now face an uncertain holiday season — caught in the crossfire of Washington’s deepening political gridlock.