The U.S. government shutdown, which began at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, has now entered day 40, with Congress still locked in a bitter standoff over how to fund federal operations. The impasse stems from deep political divisions between Republicans and Democrats, especially over healthcare funding. Democrats insist that any funding deal must include extensions of health insurance subsidies, while Republicans argue those negotiations should be handled separately.
In a major development, Senate Democrats joined Republicans in a late-night vote on November 9, advancing a temporary funding bill that could reopen the government through January 30. The move marked the first sign of progress in weeks, though the shutdown remains in effect until the House votes and the measure reaches President Donald Trump’s desk.
As the shutdown drags into its sixth week, frustration is mounting nationwide — and the timing couldn’t be worse. With Thanksgiving and the holiday travel rush just weeks away, the disruption is beginning to hit travelers hard. More than 670,000 federal employees have been furloughed and roughly 730,000 continue working without pay. Many national parks, museums, and public visitor centers are closed or operating with minimal staff. Key agencies such as the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which manages the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, are furloughing up to 80% of their staff. The economic toll is staggering. Analysts estimate the shutdown is costing the U.S. economy up to $15 billion per week in lost output, per Reuters.
Find out more about what caused the shutdown, what services it affects, and how long it may last below.
Why Did the U.S. Government Shut Down?
The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass a new funding bill for the fiscal year. The biggest sticking point has been healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats have demanded that the funding package include an extension of these subsidies, while Republicans — who control both chambers — insist that healthcare should be addressed separately from government spending. Disputes also arose over cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting. With neither side willing to compromise, the deadline passed and the government was forced into a shutdown.
How Long Will the Government Be Shut Down?
There is no set timeline. The shutdown will continue until Congress can agree on a funding resolution and the president signs it into law. Federal courts have announced they can continue operating, but after October 17, services could slow dramatically. Economists warn that each week of closure could cost the U.S. about $15 billion in GDP losses, putting pressure on lawmakers to resolve the impasse. Historically, shutdowns have lasted anywhere from a single day to more than a month, with the record set at 35 days during 2018–2019.
On November 7, the Senate had a chance to come to an agreement, but Republicans and Democrats were still at a standstill at the end of the day.
What Is the Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History?
Until now, the longest government shutdown in American history lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, during President Donald Trump’s administration. The impasse centered on border wall funding, furloughing about 800,000 federal workers and disrupting critical government operations across the country.
However, the current 2025 shutdown has now surpassed that record, entering day 39 as Congress remains at a standstill over healthcare and spending priorities.
