The longest shutdown in US history: How has it affected the lives of Americans?

The US government shutdown has entered its 36th day, making it the longest period of time the American government has been closed, the BBC writes.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, was prompted by the inability of Congress to agree to a new funding deal. It has left government workers without paycheck and millions of Americans without essential services.

Thousands of federal workers have already missed paychecks, and there are growing fears of increased impacts to air travel across the US as air traffic controllers and airport staff work without pay.

On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News that some areas of US airspace might have to be closed if the government shutdown continues. About 13,000 air traffic controllers, who are government employees, have been working without pay due to the shutdown.

The impacts have also been felt by low-income Americans who rely on government services.

One in eight people in the US are dependent on food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) but only a portion of that assistance is being paid out this month due to lapsed funding.

The previous government shutdown record happened during Donald Trump’s first term as president and lasted 35 days before it ended in 2019.