Pressure builds on Congress to end shutdown, but quick breakthrough appears unlikely

Pressure mounts to end the prolonged US federal shutdown as millions risk losing food assistance, federal workers miss pay, and travel delays worsen. Lawmakers remain deadlocked over health care demands, leaving service members and SNAP beneficiaries facing severe uncertainty

Washington: The pressure to end the second-longest federal government shutdown is gaining new urgency this week as millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance, more federal workers miss their first full paycheck and recurring delays at airports snarl travel plans.

The building strain on lawmakers to end the impasse was magnified by the nation’s largest federal employee union, which called on Congress to immediately pass a funding bill and ensure workers receive full pay.

Everett Kelley, presi