Trump calls record US government shutdown ‘survival of our country’. How are Americans coping?

US government shutdown enters 37th day, continuing its streak as the longest ever, and leaving many federal employees without pay, including air traffic controllers who continue to work unpaid.

According to a report by NPR citing an air controller who has warned that, if the shutdown persists through the Thanksgiving holiday, the nation could face “the worst day of travel in the history of flight”.

US President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Senate Republicans to end the shutdown, now in its 37th day and the longest in US history, describing it as a “big factor, negative” in the GOP's poor performance nationwide.

“This is much bigger than the shutdown,” Trump said. “This is the survival of our country.”

Democrats, however, see Trump's involvement as a reason to stand firm, believing his participation could help secure a deal on extending health care subsidies, a key issue for their support.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats and is a leading voice in the progressive movement, said Democrats “have got to remain strong” and should secure assurances on extending health care subsidies — including “a commitment from the speaker of the House that he will support the legislation, and that the president will sign.”

But sceptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after his administration restricted SNAP food aid despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

Trump's approach to the shutdown stands in marked contrast to his first term, when the government was partially closed for 35 days over his demands for money to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall. At that time, he met publicly and negotiated with congressional leaders. Unable to secure the money, he relented in 2019.

What does the shutdown mean to federal employees?

Meanwhile, US airlines scrambled on Thursday to adjust schedules and respond to a surge of customer inquiries after the federal government ordered flight reductions at some of the nation's busiest airports, adding to travel disruptions caused by the ongoing shutdown.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the cuts on Wednesday (local time), citing safety risks in air traffic control due to staffing shortages. Tens of thousands of flights have already been delayed nationwide, affecting an estimated 3.2 million travellers. The first round of reductions, which will cut about 4% of scheduled flights, begins on Friday and is expected to increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and potentially 10% by next week if the shutdown continues.

Approximately 1.4 million civilian federal employees nationwide are currently going without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

While federal law requires that workers receive back pay after a shutdown, the White House has cast doubt on this. Meanwhile, the Senate has been unable to advance two competing measures aimed at providing at least partial pay to federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown.

A key challenge for senators is resolving the standoff over funding for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. With insurance premium notices being mailed, millions of Americans are facing sticker shock from soaring costs. The expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as tax credits, is expected to leave many unable to afford health insurance.

When is the next vote to reopen the government?

The Senate is set to reconvene at 10 a.m. on November 6, but it remains uncertain whether lawmakers will hold a 15th vote to reopen the government.

Even if a vote takes place, congressional leaders have given little indication that the temporary funding bill has enough support to pass. The most recent attempt, on November 4, failed by a 54–44 vote.

According to prediction market Polymarket, only 1.9% of traders expect the shutdown to end by November 7, while 19% anticipate a resolution between November 8 and 11, and 33% between November 12 and 15.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has assured Democrats that they will receive a vote on their preferred healthcare proposal on a set date as part of any deal to reopen the government.

However, some senators remain unconvinced, viewing the health care impasse as part of broader concerns about Trump’s direction for the country.

(With inputs from AP, NPR)