Negotiators weigh off-ramps
Talks in Washington moved into a more intense phase on Wednesday as Republican and Democratic leaders looked for a way to end the federal government shutdown before it inflicts deeper economic and political damage. Aides said back-channel conversations had picked up overnight, focusing on a short-term spending bill that would reopen agencies while a broader agreement is hammered out. The White House, which has faced growing criticism from federal workers and state governors, signaled it was open to a temporary fix if it protects key social spending. But neither side has yet claimed a breakthrough, and lawmakers warned that expectations should stay realistic.

Public-facing costs grow
With the shutdown poised to become the longest in U.S. history, the visible effects are piling up across the country. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees remain furloughed or working without pay, and the Agriculture Department has warned that nutrition benefits could soon be delayed to millions of families if Congress does not act. Airports and border facilities reported rising overtime and staffing strains, and several cultural institutions in Washington scaled back operations to save money. Politically, party leaders are juggling competing demands from their bases: conservatives are pressing for immigration curbs and steeper spending cuts, while Democrats insist any package must protect health and climate programs. A longer shutdown would make those positions harder to retreat from, and both sides know voters tend to punish everyone when the government grinds to a halt.