Photograph by Al Drago/Getty Images

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The partial shutdown of the U.S. government, the longest ever now in its 26th day, hit another milestone on Wednesday. It has likely become more expensive for taxpayers than the thing at the center of it, President Donald Trump’s demand for funding for a border wall.

Trump was expected this week to sign legislation promising back pay for federal workers once the shutdown ends. That bill sailed through Congress. Federal workers didn’t ask for the shutdown, after all, and so wouldn’t be expected to suffer for it beyond the cash squeeze many are experiencing on held up wages.