U.S. Government Shutdown Enters Its 36th Day

SadaNews - The government shutdown in the United States entered its thirty-sixth day on Wednesday, becoming the longest in the country’s history, surpassing the shutdown in 2019 that occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term.

This government paralysis results from the failure of Republicans and Democrats in Congress to reach an agreement on the budget since October 1, leading to the freezing of social benefits and the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal employees, causing disruptions in several sectors, including air transportation.

The number of those affected is estimated to be about 1.4 million federal employees, including air traffic controllers and national park workers, some of whom are working without pay while others have been forced to stop working.

The Trump administration warned that if the shutdown continues for another week, it could cause chaos in air travel due to the staff shortage, potentially leading to flight cancellations and the closure of parts of U.S. airspace.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy stated at a press conference in Philadelphia: "If the crisis goes on for another week, we will witness widespread chaos and numerous flight delays," noting that the absence of air traffic controllers makes managing airspace nearly impossible.

The shutdown stems from sharp disagreements over healthcare spending. Democrats demand an extension of government support that facilitates millions of Americans' access to health insurance before voting on any new funding, while Republicans insist on ending the shutdown first before any negotiations begin.

Despite a lack of signs of an agreement and Trump’s refusal to back down, limited attempts have been made by some moderate lawmakers from both parties to reach a compromise.

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that the shutdown has lasted longer than expected, saying, "I don't think anyone anticipated this situation would continue for this length of time."

Amid the crisis, Trump announced via his platform "Truth Social" that he would not disburse food aid under the "SNAP" program to about 42 million Americans before ending the shutdown, despite court rulings against such actions.

However, the White House later reaffirmed its commitment to court rulings, explaining that the disbursement of benefits might be delayed due to the "unacceptable stance imposed by the Democrats," according to spokesperson Caroline Levitt.

As the crisis continues without a clear resolution, it coincides with local elections in several states, including New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, with their results seen as an indication of American political sentiment and the potential to motivate the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.