New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- The United States is on the brink of officially recording its longest government shutdown in history, as political gridlock stretches into its 35th day with no breakthrough in sight. The standoff, driven by sharp divisions between the White House and congressional Democrats, is now threatening to disrupt essential social programmes and paralyse critical services.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans are appealing directly to a "handful" of moderate Democrats in the Senate to help reopen the government, bypassing senior Democratic leaders.

"I know there are, we hope, we pray, a handful of moderate and centrist Democrats left in among the Democrats in the Senate, where the whole country is counting upon them," ...