The U.S. Capitol stands eerily quiet today as the federal government shutdown enters its 35th day—just days away from breaking the 2018-2019 record for the longest in history. 🚨 With lawmakers still deadlocked over a funding bill, the ripple effects are hitting hard: over 800,000 federal workers have missed paychecks, food assistance programs for low-income families are drying up, and key economic data has gone dark. 📉
Imagine your paycheck vanishing for over a month. That’s the reality for air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and National Park staff. 🛂 Many are turning to food banks or side gigs to make ends meet, while others protest outside shuttered offices. 💼 Meanwhile, the stalemate in Washington is delaying critical reports on everything from retail sales to GDP growth, leaving businesses and investors flying blind. 📊
Why can’t Congress agree? The sticking point remains border security funding—a debate that’s turned into a high-stakes game of chicken. 🐔 Both parties are doubling down, with no clear exit strategy. As the shutdown drags on, pressure mounts from all sides: unions, economists, and even airlines warn of cascading disruptions. ✈️
🔴 Follow our live feed of the Capitol for real-time updates. Will today bring a breakthrough—or more gridlock?
