Core Points - The U.S. federal government shutdown has reached its 36th day, becoming the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record of 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019 [1] - Senate Democratic leaders have formally requested a bipartisan meeting with President Trump, indicating a potential thaw in political deadlock [1][4] - The economic impact of the shutdown is significant, with estimated losses of approximately $15 billion per week, affecting various sectors [4][8] Political Developments - Following recent electoral victories, Democratic leaders are seeking to negotiate an end to the shutdown, which has severely impacted the economy and public welfare [4] - A bipartisan group of senators is reportedly working on a proposal that includes funding for certain agencies and a short-term bill to reopen the government [7] - There is a possibility of support from moderate Democratic senators, which could help surpass the required votes to end the deadlock [7] Economic Impact - The ongoing shutdown is causing substantial economic losses, estimated between $10 billion and $30 billion weekly, with a consensus around $15 billion [8] - Specific impacts include a freeze on approximately $24 billion in federal procurement spending, hindering contractors and suppliers [12] - Small business loans have been disrupted, affecting around 4,800 businesses with a total of $2.5 billion in loans blocked [12] - Food assistance programs, such as SNAP, are facing funding issues, potentially affecting 42 million people [12] - Early childhood education services have been interrupted, impacting over 8,000 children and families [12] Market Reactions - President Trump has acknowledged the negative effects of the shutdown on the stock market and other sectors, urging for a swift resolution [10] - Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the long-term performance of the stock market [10]