Core Points - The U.S. federal government shutdown has reached its 35th day, marking the longest shutdown in history, significantly impacting ordinary American families who rely on federal assistance programs [1][3] - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports approximately 42 million people, has exhausted its funds, highlighting the severe consequences of political stalemate on public welfare [1][4] - The shutdown has led to the suspension of key economic data releases, creating an information vacuum that complicates monetary policy decisions for the Federal Reserve [3][5] Economic Impact - The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the prolonged shutdown could reduce the annual GDP growth rate by 1 to 2 percentage points in Q4 [3] - The BBC reports that each week of the shutdown could cost the U.S. economy approximately $15 billion [3] - The consumption multiplier effect of SNAP indicates that the cessation of $6 billion in monthly benefits could lead to a $9 billion reduction in consumer demand, equivalent to the monthly retail total of 15 medium-sized cities [4] Social Consequences - Hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors are facing unpaid work, leading to immediate cash flow disruptions for essential expenses like mortgages and childcare [5][6] - Low-income families are at risk of losing food and energy assistance, exacerbating their financial struggles [6][7] - The normalization of the shutdown as a political tool has led to a concerning acceptance among the public, who are increasingly resigned to the ongoing political impasse [7]