🚨 The U.S. government hit a new low on Day 36 of its shutdown, making it the longest in history. Since 00:01 a.m. (05:01 GMT) on Wednesday, federal offices have been in limbo, outpacing the 2018-19 stretch.
Senators just failed a 14th vote on a stop-gap funding plan backed by the House. With neither side budging, Republicans and Democrats are trading blame instead of deals. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned premiums and co-pays could spike if Affordable Care Act tax credits aren't extended. House Speaker Mike Johnson countered that "it's not about health care" and accused Democrats of worrying more about left-wing activists than constituents.
✈️ The shutdown is grounding more than politics. The Transportation Secretary says unpaid air traffic controllers could trigger widespread flight cancellations or even airspace closures if a second paycheck doesn't land next week. FlightAware data already shows thousands of daily delays.
🍽️ A lifeline for 42 million people is also at risk. Half of this month's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are running on emergency funds, and full restorations in some states could take weeks or months. Yet relief won't arrive until the government reopens, according to President Trump — a move critics call "weaponizing hunger."
📉 On the economic front, missing data is muddying policy decisions. Fed Chair Jerome Powell likened it to "driving in a fog" as officials debate December moves. The Congressional Budget Office warns Q4 GDP could shrink by 1-2 points, costing up to $14 billion if the shutdown persists eight weeks.
😕 Public trust is plummeting, too: only 15 percent of Americans approve of Congress, and around two-thirds say both parties are out of touch.
As Day 36 wears on, daily life and travel plans keep feeling the impact — and the end game remains nowhere in sight.
Reference(s):
U.S. records longest gov't shutdown in history as it enters Day 36
cgtn.com
