Congress is poised to preside over the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, reaching 35 days on Tuesday and surpassing the partial shutdown under President Trump in 2019.

The stalemate threatens SNAP food aid, early education programs, air traffic control, and health care subsidies, while bipartisan talks among senators remain slow.

Lawmakers’ return to Washington is delayed until after Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, fueling speculation that political calculations are influencing negotiations.

Both parties blame each other: Republicans accuse Democrats of dragging their feet, while Democrats insist on passing a bill that includes health care subsidies Politico has reported.

With no full-year spending bills in place before the shutdown, the growing disruption — particularly the imminent halt of SNAP benefits — may force lawmakers to act.