AFP, Washington

US senators began a long weekend yesterday that guarantees the government shutdown lasting at least 14 days, with both sides more entrenched than ever and the military facing an unprecedented threat to its pay.

Republicans and Democrats have been getting into angry confrontations in the corridors of Congress, with frustration mounting as the crisis over funding the government hits public services harder each day.

Pressure is mounting on Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the shuttered lower chamber of Congress back in session to hold an emergency vote on at least providing military pay.

But the Republican leader is sticking to his guns, telling reporters Thursday that he was “committed to keeping the House out of session as long as it takes to pressure Senate Democrats.”

With the Senate out until Tuesday next week, there’s little hope for federal workers left wondering when their pay will be unfrozen. Now, 1.3 million active-duty service military personnel are also set to miss their pay due next Wednesday -- something that has not happened in any of the funding shutdowns through modern history.