The government shutdown is now officially the longest on record, surpassing the previous record of 34 days that occurred during President Trump’s first term in office. That shutdown, which lasted from Dec. 22, 2018 through Jan. 25, 2019, ended when the president backed down on his border wall funding demands.

It is becoming clear that there are no obvious concessions available at this time that can lead to the government opening any time soon.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent all House members home just before Oct. 1, placing the chamber in recess. This strategy meant that the only way for the government to avoid being shut down was for the Senate to garner the 60 votes needed to approve the “clean” continuing resolution passed by the House. Once the government shut down, the Senate was

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