WASHINGTON: The human cost of the nation's longest government shutdown is now echoing from the halls of power to the homes of ordinary Americans, leaving millions in a state of precarious limbo and igniting fears of a broader economic crisis.

The ripple effects became starkly visible this weekend as hundreds of flights were canceled and thousands more delayed, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling. For families who depend on food stamps to eat, and for federal workers who have gone weeks without a paycheck, the political impasse in Washington is a source of real-world anxiety, with bills piling up and options running out.

With Congress locked in a stalemate—Republicans unable to break a Democratic filibuster, and Democrats holding firm on healthcare funding—there is no end in sight. The prolonged uncertainty is deepening concerns about permanent damage to the economy, a fear underscored from within the White House itself. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett sounded the alarm, admitting the economic impact is now "far worse" than first thought.

The political gears remain frozen. Senate Majority Leader John Thune lamented that the "wheels came off" negotiations, while Minority Leader Chuck Schumer maintained the Democratic position, offering to end the shutdown in exchange for a year of healthcare subsidies.

Adding to the travel chaos, a 4% reduction in domestic flights officially took effect, leading to over a thousand cancellations at major airports—a tangible symptom of a government stretched to its breaking point.

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