Government shutdown hits 36th day, becoming longest in US history

WASHINGTON

The US government shutdown became the longest in history on Wednesday, hitting 36 days with no resolution in sight as Republicans and Democrats in the Senate remain deadlocked over restoring funding to closed federal agencies.

The shutdown surpassed the previous 35-day record set during President Donald Trump’s first term between December 2018 and January 2019 after the upper chamber on Tuesday rejected a House-passed Republican funding bill for the 14th time to end it.

The measure failed on a 54-44 vote, with no additional Democrats breaking ranks to support its advancement.

Bringing the shutdown to an end will require both parties in the Senate to reach a compromise that Trump will sign.

The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after a breakdown in negotiations on federal spending priorities. Thousands of federal workers have since been furloughed, working without pay, while government services have been curtailed or suspended.