The United States is on the verge of officially recording its longest government shutdown in history as the political stalemate stretches into its 35th day with no breakthrough in sight. The impasse, caused by sharp divisions between the White House and Democrats in Congress, now threatens to disrupt essential social programs and paralyze essential services.
What did spokesman Mike Johnson say about the effort to end the shutdown?
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans are turning directly to a “handful” of moderate Democrats in the Senate to help reopen the government, bypassing senior Democratic leaders.
“I know there are a handful of moderates and centrist Democrats left among the Democrats in the Senate, where the whole country is counting on them,” Johnson said. “So we’re going over the heads of the so-called leadership and appealing to the conscience of the handful of people in the Senate who want to do the right thing and stop the pain, stop the pain for the American people.”
Johnson added that he did not believe Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would agree to vote to reopen the government.
What happens if the US government shutdown continues?
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer warned that unemployment insurance could be another major area of concern if the shutdown continues.
“State-provided unemployment insurance is going to be another thing we have to worry about,” she said. “American workers deserve to know where their next paycheck is coming from, and the American economy deserves American workers there.”
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stark warning that the continued gridlock could cause “mass chaos” in the aviation system.
“If you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you’re going to see mass chaos, you’re going to see mass flight delays. You’re going to see mass cancellations, and maybe you’re going to see us closing parts of the airspace because we just can’t handle it,” Duffy said, accusing Democratic leaders of not supporting the GOP’s short-term funding proposal.
What does the Senate vote on?
The Senate is currently voting on a Republican temporary funding bill that would keep the government open until Nov. 21. But the proposal lacks key democratic demands, making prospects for an agreement uncertain.
What did Trump say about SNAP benefits?
In a move that drew sharp criticism from opponents, President Donald Trump threatened to freeze funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the nation’s largest food aid program — until Democrats agree to reopen the government.
“The benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will only be provided when these radical left-wing Democrats open the government, which they can easily do, and not before!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.
His post came just a day after state officials assured a federal court that partial benefits would continue to use a $5 billion reserve fund under a court order.
Officials previously considered halting the program altogether, citing legal uncertainty over using emergency funds or transferring money from other accounts. While the court confirmed that the administration could do both, the White House decided to release only partial benefits.
What’s next for the shutdown?
With the shutdown now tied for the longest in US history, pressure is mounting on both sides to reach a compromise. Economists warn that a continued freeze could hurt job growth, delay tax refunds, disrupt federal paychecks and shut down key government operations across states.
If the impasse goes beyond the middle of the week, the shutdown will officially break the record set during Trump’s first term — a politically damaging chapter the president appears willing to relive to gain leverage over his Democratic rivals.
