Government Shutdown Reaches 35-Day Mark

The government shutdown has now reached its 35th day, matching the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

This current situation began on October 1 when Congress failed to agree on a budget plan. As a result, many federal employees are on furlough, while others are working without pay. The impact is widespread—flights have been delayed nationwide, and numerous Americans are struggling without food assistance.

The previous record for a shutdown lasted from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, primarily due to a dispute over funding for a border wall during President Trump’s first term.

Currently, the main contention points revolve around medical care, with Democrats urging Republicans to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that are set to expire soon. Meanwhile, they oppose Republicans’ attempts to pass clean stopgap measures to reopen the government.

On Tuesday, the Senate couldn’t advance the funding measure for the 14th time, a record that might be broken if the shutdown persists past Tuesday night.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, from Louisiana, expressed frustration during a Tuesday press conference, noting that the duration of the shutdown was unexpected. He criticized Democrats for not supporting the Republican stopgap measures, which would keep the government running at current levels until November 21.

“Democrats should look in the mirror as federal workers approach five weeks without full pay,” Johnson stated. “Will they continue to cater to the radical elements in their party, or will they act to benefit the working Americans they’ve neglected?”

Democrats, in turn, have blamed Republicans for the ongoing shutdown.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, a former House Majority Leader from Maryland, remarked that he has always seen a government shutdown as “foolish, expensive, and arrogant.” He added, “Trump seems to enjoy it. It was true in 2019 when he set the record, and now that record is being broken again.”

House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York highlighted that Democrats are looking for a bipartisan agreement that would genuinely benefit Americans and reduce living costs, as opposed to what he called the “Trump economy” where expenses keep rising.

Lawmakers are currently discussing a new funding measure that could sustain government operations from November onward. Both Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are looking into proposals that could extend the funding until January. Thune mentioned he was “optimistic” about reaching an agreement to end the shutdown by the week’s conclusion.