The US government shutdown became the longest ever Wednesday, topping the 35-day record set during Donald Trump’s first term, as his administration warned of holiday air travel chaos and threatened Americans’ benefits in a bid to force a resolution.

Federal agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, and the pain has been mounting as welfare programs — including aid that helps millions of Americans afford groceries — hang in limbo.

There were in recent days the first fragile signs of progress in Congress in the search for an off-ramp, although — for now — 1.4 million federal workers, from air traffic controllers to park wardens, remain on enforced leave or working without pay.

Hours before the shutdown record toppled at midnight, the

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