(MENAFN) The U.S. government shutdown stretched into its 22nd day on Wednesday, surpassing the 1995-1996 funding lapse to become the second-longest in American history, with no resolution in sight.

On Monday, the Senate rejected a stopgap funding bill for the 11th time, blocking efforts to advance a House-approved measure intended to keep the government funded through November 21.

"October 22 marks another landmark. This is now the second-longest government shutdown of any kind ever in the history of our country, and it's just shameful. Democrats keep making history, but they're doing it for all the wrong reasons," said US House Speaker Mike Johnson during a press briefing.

Johnson emphasized that Republicans remain committed to reopening the government. "And that's why the nonpartisan clean CR (continuing resolution) was the obvious vehicle to do that," he added.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers, labeling the shutdown a "Trump-Republican shutdown" that is causing widespread harm.

"Today is Day 22 of the Trump Republican shutdown of the federal government, and all across the country, everyday Americans are hurting. Hard-working federal employees are working without pay or have been furloughed from their positions," Jeffries stated at a session focused on the shutdown's impact.

He warned that ongoing delays could soon jeopardize vital safety net programs relied upon by millions of low-income families.

"Folks may even lose nutritional assistance, benefits that they depend on to feed themselves, their children and their families and keep food on the table," Jeffries said.

The deadlock stems from a budget dispute between Republicans and Democrats and has caused extensive disruptions within federal agencies nationwide.

Jeffries called on Republican leaders to return to bipartisan talks. "There's a simple solution for Republicans: Get back to work, sit down with Democrats. We're ready, we're willing, we're able to reopen the government, to enact a bipartisan spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, and to address the Republican health care crisis that is devastating families all across this country," he urged.

On Tuesday, President Trump dismissed the possibility of meeting with top congressional Democrats until the shutdown concludes.

"I would love to meet. I would like to meet with both of them, but I set one little caveat. I will only meet if they let the country open. They have to let the country open," Trump told reporters at the White House, where he also met with Republican senators earlier that day.

The shutdown began October 1 after negotiations over federal spending priorities collapsed. Since then, thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or working without pay, and many government services have been limited or suspended.

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