美国经济学家：政府“停摆”或致更多混乱，对民众是噩梦

Core Points - The ongoing federal government shutdown in the U.S. has reached its 36th day, breaking the previous record of 35 days set in late 2018 to early 2019, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history [3] - Economist Dean Baker warns that the shutdown is causing significant distress for many American families, with approximately 42 million people potentially unable to receive relief benefits, which could lead to severe difficulties in maintaining their livelihoods [3][4] - The shutdown is also impacting the air traffic control system, leading to staff shortages and operational slowdowns, particularly concerning as the Thanksgiving travel season approaches [3][4] Economic Impact - The shutdown is expected to create chaos in the food supply chain, with many grocery stores facing disruptions [3] - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which covers about 42 million people, is at risk, representing roughly one-eighth of the U.S. population [3] Political Context - The current shutdown is largely attributed to partisan disagreements, particularly the Republican Party's reluctance to compromise, which has hindered efforts to resolve the deadlock [4] - The situation has evolved into a blame game between the two parties, with Democrats seeking to unify voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections [6] - The current administration is perceived to be using the shutdown to push for federal workforce reductions and to expand its own executive powers [5]