Secretary Sean Duffy's comment comes amid a growing number of flight delays at airports across the country. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday that the U.S. might be forced to close parts of its airspace if staffing shortages amid the government shutdown continue.

Follow MarketWatch's live coverage of the government shutdown's damage to the U.S. economy as the closure approaches record-breaking length.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Signs of a potential end to the government shutdown intensified Tuesday with behind-the-scenes talks, as the federal closure was on track to become the longest ever disrupting the lives of millions of Americans.

Air traffic control staffing shortages are already slowing arrivals into LA and if it continues, Thanksgiving could be one of the most disrupted travel weeks the airport has experienced in years.

With the country nearing the record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the stalemate over federal funding has continued.

President Donald Trump said Republicans are more likely to lose next year’s midterm elections if they don’t eliminate the Senate filibuster.

Speaking to reporters, Thune laid out the next steps toward a potential end to the shutdown. The House-passed continuing resolution extends government funding at current levels until Nov. 21. Thune said that date will have to change to allow more time for work on year-long appropriations bills.

La., would halt lawmakers from being paid for each day the shutdown continues, while also sidestepping the constitutional requirement that members of Congress receive a paycheck.