U.S. Government Shutdown Becomes the Second-Longest in History

Photo credit: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

The partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government reached its 22nd day on Wednesday, officially making it the second-longest shutdown in American history, surpassed only by the 35-day closure that stretched from late 2018 into early 2019.

The current funding lapse began on October 1, after Congress failed to agree on a temporary spending measure to keep federal departments operating. Despite multiple attempts to move forward with a short-term funding bill, negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House remain at a standstill.

A Political Deadlock

Senate Democrats have blocked 11 Republican efforts to advance a continuing resolution that would fund the government through November 21, keeping agencies at current spending levels.

Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), are insisting on renewed talks with President Donald Trump before voting to reopen the government. They argue that the proposed Republican measure fails to address critical issues—most notably, the extension of enhanced health insurance subsidies for roughly 22 million Americans enrolled through the Affordable Care Act.

“We’re ready to meet with the president anytime, anywhere to reach an agreement and end this shutdown,” Schumer told reporters on Tuesday.

Republicans, however, have taken a firm stance that no negotiations will take place until Democrats vote to reopen the government. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) met with Trump, who reaffirmed that discussions can only move forward “once the government is open again.”

At a Rose Garden event with congressional Republicans, Trump criticized Democrats for “holding the government hostage” and demanded they support a “clean, bipartisan funding bill.”

Echoes of 1995

The standoff now surpasses the 1995–1996 shutdown that lasted 21 days under President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich, a period that was previously the second-longest in history. That dispute, also rooted in budget priorities, ended only after weeks of political pressure and public frustration.

Widespread Impact

So far, an estimated 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed, with thousands more working without pay. The shutdown has slowed essential services—from passport processing and small business loans to environmental oversight and federal research.

Economic analysts warn that each passing week could shave up to 0.2 percentage points off quarterly GDP growth, increasing the risk of lasting economic strain if the impasse continues.

Uncertain Path Forward

The Senate plans to reconvene Wednesday morning in another attempt to break the gridlock, but prospects for a swift resolution remain slim. Both parties are dug in, and with no compromise in sight, the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history shows few signs of ending soon.