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The federal government shutdown reached its 36th day Wednesday, breaking the record as the longest in U.S. history and leaving millions of Americans — including thousands of Iowans — grappling with frozen paychecks, delayed flights and slashed food aid.

President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats until they agree to reopen the government, and the administration’s plan to issue partial food assistance benefits for the month of November has hunger relief advocates warning that Iowa families could see their food assistance cut in half or eliminated entirely.

While lawmakers haven't arrived at a negotiation over a Democratic push to extend expiring Affordable Care Act health

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