Summary
The U.S. government has shut down as of October 2025 due to disagreements in Congress over healthcare spending. This is the first shutdown since 2018, affecting many federal workers and causing potential delays in services, but essential functions like Social Security will continue. Shutdowns have become more frequent in recent decades, with a few lasting several weeks.
Key Facts
- The federal government shutdown started in October 2025.
- The shutdown occurred due to a disagreement between Senate Republicans and Democrats.
- This is the first shutdown since December 2018, which lasted 35 days.
- Several hundred thousand federal employees will work without pay during the shutdown.
- Essential services like Social Security will continue, but may face delays.
- There have been 20 funding gaps since the modern budget process began in 1976.
- Long shutdowns are relatively rare but have happened more in recent decades.
