Partisan Gridlock Costs $14B, Leaves 42 Million Without Food as Shutdown Reaches 35 Days

The U.S. government shutdown entered its 35th day on Nov. 4, 2025, tying the record for the longest shutdown in history, as political gridlock between Democrats and Republicans continues to disrupt services for millions of Americans. With no resolution in sight, the economic and social costs are mounting, from delayed food assistance to flight disruptions and a projected $7 billion to $14 billion hit to the economy, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The most immediate crisis centers on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to 42 million low-income Americans. A Nov. 1 deadline for benefit payments was delayed after the Trump administration halted distributions, citing a lack of appropriated funds. While a federal judge ordered the USDA to use contingency reserves to cover the payments, the administration has pushed back, arguing the funds are reserved for emergencies like natural disasters. Democratic-led states such as New York and Maryland have stepped in with emergency financing, but recipients nationwide remain in limbo.

The shutdown has also exacerbated broader economic strain. The CBO estimated that a four-week shutdown could reduce fourth-quarter GDP growth by 1 percentage point, with the loss climbing to 2 percentage points if the shutdown stretches to eight weeks. Permanent economic damage is also a risk, with the CBO projecting between $7 billion and $14 billion in unrecovered GDP losses depending on the shutdown's duration. Meanwhile, companies like ICF International reported direct financial hits, with a $2.5 million monthly profit decline tied to federal contract delays, according to FactCheck.

Transportation systems have also felt the ripple effects. Air traffic controllers, working unpaid overtime, caused widespread flight delays at major hubs, including Boston, New York, and Dallas. The FAA reported average delays of two hours or more at several airports, as staffing shortages worsened, according to Business Standard.

Politically, the deadlock shows no signs of breaking. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate GOP leaders blame Democrats for the crisis, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the Trump administration of intentionally withholding $5 billion in contingency funds. President Trump, meanwhile, has called for Republicans to eliminate the Senate's 60-vote filibuster rule to force a shutdown resolution, a move opposed by moderate Republicans like Lisa Murkowski and John Cornyn, the Western Journal reported.

The shutdown's human toll is becoming increasingly visible. Unpaid federal workers, including air traffic controllers and park rangers, face financial strain, while families relying on SNAP and Head Start programs face uncertainty. As the crisis drags on, the stakes rise: a prolonged shutdown could not only deepen economic pain but also test the resilience of a political system already fractured by partisan divides.