Hmm. Mr Thing loves winter. Fluffy slippers, hot chalk, the heating on.

Uh-oh, that didn't sound good. Looks like the boilers packed in.

Thankfully, Mr. Thing has British Gas Home Care cover, which means unlimited repairs for his boiler, heating, electrics and more.

So he's covered for whatever winter throws at him. And right now it's 50% off for the first six months.

Search British Gas Home Care, one of the ways we're taking care of things. T's and C supply, no claims

within the first 14 days ends first of December. New customers only remaining six months

at full price.

This is CNN breaking news.

Welcome to the lead.

I'm Jake Tapper, live from Ronald Reagan National Airport in Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.

We're due to this government shutdown, the longest in the history of these United States.

The average delay for inbound flights to Reagan Airport is a whopping four hours. And what does it look like for departures, for planes leaving here?

Well, I just walked over to the schedule board moments ago and take a look.

Delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, canceled, delay, delay, delayed, delay canceled.

Our breaking news this hour, at least 15 reports of staffing problems at air traffic

control facilities leading to flight delays across the United States, and that is despite the fact

that air traffic today has been reduced by 4% at this airport and at least 39 others.

That reduction based on an order from the FAA, the Federal Aviation Administration.

Even more flight cuts are planned in the coming days. It could go up to 20% we're told.

All of it thanks to staffing issues caused by the failure of the U.S. Congress to pass a government

funding bill. As air traffic controllers have now gotten two paychecks with a total of $0.00.

That doesn't put gas in the tank, that doesn't put food in the fridge, that doesn't pay for child care.

...