The U.S. government shutdown reached day 35 on Tuesday, tying the previous record and threatening to become the longest in history as it heads into a possible sixth week. Officials warned the stalemate could disrupt Thanksgiving travel, with more than 60,000 air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without pay and roughly 1.4 million federal employees furloughed or unpaid. Lawmakers remain deadlocked over expiring health-insurance subsidies, though a small bipartisan group has proposed a compromise. The administration also attempted cuts to a food-aid program serving about 42 million people, a move temporarily blocked by courts.
Shutdown Hits Day 35, Ties Record — Officials Warn of Airport Chaos Ahead of Thanksgiving
The U.S. government shutdown reached day 35 on Tuesday, tying the previous record and threatening to become the longest in history as it heads into a possible sixth week. Officials warned the stalemate could disrupt Thanksgiving travel, with more than 60,000 air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without pay and roughly 1.4 million federal employees furloughed or unpaid. Lawmakers remain deadlocked over expiring health-insurance subsidies, though a small bipartisan group has proposed a compromise. The administration also attempted cuts to a food-aid program serving about 42 million people, a move temporarily blocked by courts.
02:09, 05.11.2025Politics
U.S. Government Shutdown Reaches 35 Days, Matching Record
The U.S. government shutdown entered its 35th day on Tuesday, tying the previous record and poised to become the longest in modern history as it heads toward a possible sixth week. The administration warned that continued funding gaps could cause major disruptions at airports during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
What’s at Stake
Federal operations have been sharply curtailed since Congress failed to approve funding beyond Sept. 30. About 1.4 million federal employees — from air traffic controllers to park rangers — have been furloughed or are working without pay. The shutdown has also put key social programs in limbo, including benefits that help millions of Americans afford food.
More than 60,000 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers are operating without pay, prompting warnings that rising absenteeism could snarl check-in and security lines and even force temporary airspace closures. AAA estimates roughly 5.8 million people will fly domestically on Thanksgiving Day, raising concerns that travel disruption could peak during the holiday.
Political Impasse
Lawmakers remain deadlocked over the core dispute: Democrats demand an agreement to extend expiring health-insurance subsidies that keep coverage affordable for millions, while Republicans have said they will only consider those measures after government funding is restored. A small group of centrist House members has proposed a compromise framework aimed at lowering premiums, but party leaders have shown limited appetite for a quick deal.
"So if you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos... You will see mass flight delays," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at a Philadelphia briefing, warning of cancellations and possible partial airspace closures if staffing shortages worsen.
Food Aid and Legal Pushback
The administration moved last week to restrict a long-standing federal food-aid program that assists about 42 million people, a step that was blocked by two courts. The White House later said it was complying with legal obligations and working to distribute partial SNAP payments "as much as we can and as quickly as we can," while the president said the aid would be disbursed only after the shutdown ends.
Outlook
With few major breakthroughs expected before the deadline to enter a sixth week, fragile signs on Capitol Hill suggest an off-ramp may be closer than before — but significant obstacles remain. Voters in several state and local elections on Tuesday may add political pressure on lawmakers to negotiate, though the central disagreement over health-care subsidies continues to hold talks at an impasse.
Reporting note: This article consolidates developments from congressional updates, administration statements and court actions related to federal funding and benefits programs.