WASHINGTON -- The government shutdown has entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with federal program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks.

The US government shutdown has reached 35 days, making it the longest period of time the American government has been closed. The shutdown, which began 1 October, was prompted by the inability of Congress to agree to a new funding deal. It has left government workers without paycheque and millions of Americans without essential services.

The US government has reached a major milestone of dysfunction as Congress has allowed a federal shutdown to drag into its 36th day — the longest in history — amid a stalemate over health-care and spending priorities.

The U.S. federal government shutdown surpassed the previous record for the longest in the nation's history on Wednesday.

The ongoing government shutdown now has turned into the longest ever, topping the 35-day closure that ended around 9:30 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 25, 2019. President Donald Trump also was in office during the shutdown.

With Congress now tied for its longest-ever shutdown, a small group of fed-up lawmakers in Washington are furiously trying to end the standoff as soon as this week.

Signs of a potential end to the government shutdown are intensifying with behind-the-scenes talks. This comes as the federal closure, now in its 35th day, is on track to become the longest ever disrupting the lives of millions of Americans.

Trump said he won't be "extorted" by Democrats demanding Republicans negotiate on Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year

The U.S. Senate failed on its 14th and latest vote to end the government shutdown on Nov. 4, extending it to 35 days, tying – and positioning it to exceed – the stand-alone record set during President Donald Trump ’s first term in 2019.