Summary
Congress stopped a potential government shutdown by passing a spending bill. The U.S. government has faced 21 shutdowns in the past, with the longest one lasting 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019. President Biden signed a temporary funding measure to keep the government running.
Key Facts
- The U.S. government avoided a shutdown after Congress passed a spending bill.
- The longest U.S. government shutdown lasted 35 days, beginning in December 2018.
- There have been 21 government shutdowns in total.
- Before 2018, the longest shutdown was 21 days, during President Clinton's time.
- President Ronald Reagan's administration saw eight separate shutdowns.
- The issue of border wall funding was a key factor in ending the 2018-2019 shutdown.
- 420,000 federal workers were asked to work without pay in the last shutdown, with 350,000 furloughed without pay.
- Many government benefits continue during a shutdown, but new enrollments or payments might face delays.
