Post by : Rameen Ariff

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday once more failed to pass a stopgap funding measure, marking the 14th attempt to end the federal government shutdown that has so far been unsuccessful. If unresolved, the shutdown is poised to eclipse the 35-day span recorded in 2018–2019 and could become the longest in modern U.S. history.

In a 54-44 vote, the Republican-led Senate backed the House-approved "clean" continuing resolution, which would have maintained current funding levels through November 21. The proposal fell short of the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster in the upper chamber, leaving federal operations without a clear funding path.

Disruptions have spread across key sectors — including aviation, healthcare and food assistance — affecting millions and putting added pressure on the broader economy. The Congressional Budget Office has warned that an eight-week continuation of the shutdown could shave roughly $14 billion from U.S. economic output.

Leaders on Capitol Hill traded blame as the stalemate persisted. Senate Majority Leader John Thune accused Senate Democrats of deepening the crisis for ordinary Americans, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faulted Republicans for measures that could increase healthcare costs, especially as the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period began on November 1. Analysts caution that, with enhanced subsidies set to lapse, premiums could climb by about 30 percent next year.

Federal food assistance has been especially hard hit. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports roughly 42 million people, has only seen partial relief through emergency steps after federal court involvement; full distributions could still take weeks or months to normalize. President Donald Trump has said benefits will resume only once Democrats agree to reopen the government.

Public approval of Congress has fallen amid growing frustration. A Gallup poll found legislative approval at just 15 percent, with nearly 80 percent of adults critical of lawmakers' handling of the shutdown. Observers say the deadlock is fueling anxiety over healthcare, food security and economic stability while underscoring deep partisan divisions in Washington.

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