Dhaka, Nov. 6 -- The US government shutdown became the longest ever Wednesday, topping the 35-day record set during Donald Trump's first term, as his administration warned of holiday air travel chaos and threatened Americans' benefits in a bid to force a resolution.

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

There were in recent days the first fragile signs of progress in Congress in the search for an off-ramp, although - for now - 1.4 million federal workers, from air traffic controllers to park wardens, remain on enforced leave or working wi...