WASHINGTON – It's official: The government shutdown has become the longest in U.S. history, marking 36 painful days of missed paychecks , travel disruptions , food shortages and other mounting consequences for millions of Americans.

Before and after the milestone approached, the political gridlock that has defined much of the month-long crisis in Washington showed some signs of abating, particularly following big election wins for Democrats on Tuesday night in major off-year races in New York, New Jersey and Virginia.

Democrats broadly characterized their victories as rebukes of President Donald Trump 's agenda, while Republicans criticized their opponents for dragging out the shutdown to avoid losing progressive voters.

Whether those wins will embolden Democrats to hold fir

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