The United States government shutdown has now officially become the longest in the nation’s history, surpassing the 35-day record set during former President Donald Trump’s first term. The standoff has left millions of Americans bracing for widespread disruptions across key sectors.
Federal operations have largely been at a standstill since Congress failed to approve new funding past September 30, forcing 1.4 million federal employees — including air traffic controllers and park rangers — to either work without pay or face furlough. The prolonged funding deadlock has also left several vital welfare programs, including food assistance for low-income families, hanging in the balance.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Wednesday that if the shutdown stretches into its sixth week, the country could experience major air travel disruptions, including widespread flight cancellations and even closed airspace.
“If you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos,” Duffy said during a press briefing in Philadelphia. “You’ll see mass flight delays, mass cancellations, and possibly closures of certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it without air traffic controllers.”
The warning comes just ahead of the Thanksgiving travel rush, with the American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasting a record 5.8 million domestic flyers on November 27. Over 60,000 TSA officers and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay, sparking fears of mounting absenteeism that could cripple air travel — similar to the crisis that ended the 2019 shutdown.
At the heart of the standoff is a bitter dispute over health care funding.
Democrats are refusing to back a temporary spending bill until Republicans agree to extend expiring health insurance subsidies, while Republicans insist such negotiations should happen only after the government reopens.
Amid the impasse, centrist lawmakers from both parties are reportedly exploring bipartisan compromises, including a proposal aimed at reducing health insurance costs. Democrats believe public pressure will eventually force Republicans to the negotiating table as Americans begin to feel the economic strain.
Former President Trump, however, has remained defiant, telling CBS News he would “not be extorted” by Democrats. The administration has since threatened to suspend key welfare programs, including SNAP, which supports 42 million Americans. Courts have temporarily blocked the suspension, but the White House maintains that it is working to deliver partial payments “as much as we can and as quickly as we can.”
As the shutdown continues with no resolution in sight, experts warn that the fallout could worsen — crippling air travel, deepening hardship for federal workers, and jeopardizing critical social services across the country.
