Summary
The U.S. government shutdown has become the longest in the country's history, starting on October 1, 2025, due to a deadlock in Congress over budget negotiations. More than a month has passed, affecting over 1 million federal workers and causing disruptions across multiple sectors. The disagreement is primarily over funding Affordable Care Act subsidies, with no resolution yet in sight.
Key Facts
- The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025.
- This shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history, surpassing a 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019.
- More than 1 million federal workers are working without pay, and about 600,000 have been furloughed.
- The Senate has unsuccessfully attempted 14 times to pass a temporary funding bill.
- Democrats want to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies; Republicans want to discuss this after reopening the government.
- Air traffic, national parks, and federal services like the IRS are experiencing significant disruptions.
- Federal food benefits such as SNAP have stopped temporarily, although the administration plans to restart them with delays and possibly reduced amounts.
- President Trump blames Democrats for the deadlock, while Senate Republicans reject his call to bypass Democrats by ending the filibuster.
