University of Kwazulu-Natal

At 36 Days The Government Shutdown Is Now The Longest In History

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
at 36 days the government shutdown is now the longest in history

The longest shutdown in U.S. history is official on Wednesday, Nov. 5, as bipartisan efforts in the Senate to reopen the federal government continue to flounder in the now five-week-old budget impasse. The Senate voted for a 14th time to advance a bill to end the stalemate on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with Democrats demanding an extension of expiring federal tax credits to help Americans pay for private health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say the government must reopen before healthcare talks begin.

"I think there are people who realize this has gone on long enough, there's been enough pain inflicted on the American people, and it's time to end it," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune,... The current shutdown began just after midnight on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a new budget, marking the fourth shutdown during a Trump presidency. Over the last five decades, and as of Oct. 1, there have been 22 federal shutdowns. Here's when they happened and how long they lasted.

Now in its 36th day, pain points for Americans continue to mount. The government shutdown on Wednesday entered its 36th day, officially becoming the longest shutdown in U.S. history. That means the two longest shutdowns in American politics have occurred under President Donald Trump, with the previous 35-day record having been set during his first term in 2019. There's been little movement on Capitol Hill over the past five weeks as Republicans and Democrats blame one another for the stalemate. Democrats are keeping up their demand for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Trump and Republicans say they won't negotiate until the government is reopened.

Meanwhile, the impact on Americans is growing more painful by the day. The federal government has been shut down since Congress failed to pass a spending bill on Oct. 1. Mariam Zuhaib/AP hide caption The ongoing government shutdown entered its 36th full day on Wednesday, which officially makes it the longest in U.S. history.

It takes the title from the most recent shutdown, which stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 during the first Trump administration. That impasse started with Democrats' refusal to fund President Trump's southern border wall. It ended — 35 days and an estimated $3 billion in lost GDP later — after a series of escalating disruptions, including to air travel, put pressure on Trump and Republicans in Congress to... This time around, the government shuttered on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to break a stalemate over funding negotiations. More than a month later, an end to the stalemate appears nowhere in sight.

The federal government shutdown continues on Wednesday, Nov. 5, marking the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The current shutdown started just after midnight on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a new budget, marking the fourth shutdown so far during Donald Trump’s two terms as president. Over the past five decades, every president besides George W.

Bush and Joe Biden has had at least one shutdown of at least a few days. Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama all experienced shutdowns lasting more than two weeks during their tenures. Here's what to know. Wednesday, Nov. 5, marks the longest-ever shutdown in U.S. history at 36 days.

Previously, the longest shutdown lasted 35 days and occurred during Trump’s first term, which was the third shutdown under his tenure. It started on Dec. 22, 2018, after Trump demanded $5.7 billion to build a wall along the United States-Mexico border and continued until Jan. 25, 2019, during which Democrats refused to negotiate on border wall funding until the government reopened, USA TODAY previously reported. The federal shutdown has broken the record as the longest in U.S. history, entering the 36th day and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans.

(AP Production: Marissa Duhaney) Hours after Democrats scored major wins in elections nationwide, President Donald Trump addressed the results, saying they’re not “good for anybody.” Trump blamed the government shutdown in part for GOP losses and demanded the... President Donald Trump speaks during a breakfast with Senate and House Republicans in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., attends a breakfast with other Senate Republicans in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov.

5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Donald Trump speaks during a breakfast with Senate and House Republicans in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON — The lengthy standoff between President Donald Trump and congressional Democratic leaders is now the longest government shutdown in American history.

On Wednesday, the shutdown enters its 36th day, eclipsing the record set during Trump's first term. That 35-day federal closure in late 2018 and early 2019 resulted from a fight over Trump’s demand for a border wall, which Democrats refused to fund. It's a testament to the current political environment that some senators aren't even shocked. "I wouldn't use the word surprised," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said. "It disappoints me."

Though Congress has not reached a deal, some senators indicated this week that progress was being made behind the scenes. WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The government shutdown has now stretched to 36 days, officially becoming the longest shutdown of any kind in U.S. history. The landmark closure passed that historic threshold just hours after Democrats swept the polls in key elections, winning the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, the New York City mayoral election, and a California... Now, congressional Democratic leaders are taking a victory lap and using the momentum to reframe the government shutdown. “Last night, Republicans felt the political repercussions,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

He sees the “blue wave” as a good indication of how Americans feel about the other party, sharing their frustrations with Republicans and President Trump on the ballot. “Nothing short of a 5-alarm fire to the Republicans,” Schumer said. “Their high-cost house is burning.” This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. WASHINGTON — The government shutdown has entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide...

President Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted SNAP food aid despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger. Trump, whose first term at the White House set the previous government shutdown record, said this one was a “big factor, negative” in the GOP’s election losses Tuesday and he repeated his demands for... “We must get the government back open soon,” Trump said during a breakfast meeting Wednesday with GOP senators at the White House. Terry Lane is a writer for Investopedia with 25 years of experience in journalism and communications. He covers personal finance, Congress, government regulations, and economics.

It’s a government shutdown like no other. It's the 36th day of the government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Prior to this, the longest shutdown had been 35 days in 2018. That wasn’t a full government work stoppage like this one, since some government agencies were funded through congressional appropriations before that shutdown began.

The shutdown has halted the flow of key economic data from the government that's used by economists, policymakers and businesses to make critical decisions. Reports from statistical agencies like the Census Bureau, Department of Labor, and Department of Agriculture are all on hold because they lack the staffing to administer the surveys and data collection. The longest U.S. government shutdown in history presents another significant threat to the economy alongside headwinds from tariffs, immigration and inflation. The longer investors and officials go without key economic data, the greater the risk of making mistakes based on outdated or imperfect information. The government shutdown that has hobbled Washington, risks mass disruption to flights and has brought misery to hundreds of thousands of federal workers is now the longest in US history.

On Wednesday, the shutdown marked 36 days since it went into effect on October 1, passing the previous longest government closure of 2018-19 that lasted 35 days. US President Donald Trump accused “kamikaze” Democrats of being prepared to destroy the country as the shutdown continues and demanded Republican senators end the filibuster, a Senate rule that requires 60 of the 100... Ending the filibuster has long been known as the “nuclear option” in US politics as it would mean ruling parties have zero need to form consensus with the opposition. Most senators are against the move because they fear what would happen when the opposing party eventually reclaims power. About 1.4 million federal workers, from air-traffic controllers to park wardens, remain on enforced leave or are working without pay. Some courts are using emergency funds to stay open, and warning that operations could slow if the shutdown drags on.

People Also Search

The Longest Shutdown In U.S. History Is Official On Wednesday,

The longest shutdown in U.S. history is official on Wednesday, Nov. 5, as bipartisan efforts in the Senate to reopen the federal government continue to flounder in the now five-week-old budget impasse. The Senate voted for a 14th time to advance a bill to end the stalemate on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with Democrats demanding an extension of expiring federal tax credits to help Americans pay for private he...

"I Think There Are People Who Realize This Has Gone

"I think there are people who realize this has gone on long enough, there's been enough pain inflicted on the American people, and it's time to end it," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune,... The current shutdown began just after midnight on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a new budget, marking the fourth shutdown during a Trump presidency. Over the last five decades, and as of Oct. 1, th...

Now In Its 36th Day, Pain Points For Americans Continue

Now in its 36th day, pain points for Americans continue to mount. The government shutdown on Wednesday entered its 36th day, officially becoming the longest shutdown in U.S. history. That means the two longest shutdowns in American politics have occurred under President Donald Trump, with the previous 35-day record having been set during his first term in 2019. There's been little movement on Capi...

Meanwhile, The Impact On Americans Is Growing More Painful By

Meanwhile, the impact on Americans is growing more painful by the day. The federal government has been shut down since Congress failed to pass a spending bill on Oct. 1. Mariam Zuhaib/AP hide caption The ongoing government shutdown entered its 36th full day on Wednesday, which officially makes it the longest in U.S. history.

It Takes The Title From The Most Recent Shutdown, Which

It takes the title from the most recent shutdown, which stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 during the first Trump administration. That impasse started with Democrats' refusal to fund President Trump's southern border wall. It ended — 35 days and an estimated $3 billion in lost GDP later — after a series of escalating disruptions, including to air travel, put pressure on Trump and Republi...