Could 2026 bring another government shutdown, after the longest shutdown ever?

The longest government shutdown in history dragged out for over 43 days this year, causing financial hardship for more than a million federal workers who went unpaid, the cutoff of food assistance for millions of those in need and widespread flight delays and cancellations for air travelers.

Republicans and Democrats blamed each other for the shutdown, though all agreed it caused Americans plenty of pain.

So why is another shutdown still a possibility early in the new year?

Part...