The US government shutdown entered its 35th day on Tuesday, matching a record set during Donald Trump's first presidency, as his administration warned of potential chaos at airports going into one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The federal closure appears almost certain to become the longest in history, with no major breakthroughs expected before it goes into its sixth week at midnight -- although there were fragile signs in Congress that an off-ramp is closer than ever.

The government has been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, and pain has been mounting as welfare programs -- including aid that helps millions of Americans afford groceries -- hang in limbo.

Some 1.4 million federal workers, from air traffic controllers to park war

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