10/27/2025

Terry Moseley

USA TODAY

The U.S. government shut down much of its operations just after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 1 as Congress and the White House remain deadlocked on reaching a funding deal, setting off what could be a long, grueling standoff impacting millions of Americans and federal services.

The shutdown has already delayed the release of a closely watched September employment report and is expected to slow air travel, suspend scientific research, withhold pay from U.S. troops, and lead to the furlough of 750,000 federal workers at a daily cost of $400 million.More: Government shutdown enters first day as Trump and Democrats spar, live updates

10 key dates to watch as government shutdown nears record lengthWhose fault is the government shutdown? Watch Americans in 8 key states lay the blameFor this senator, Trump’s special ed layoffs are personal amid shutdown showdown7 things to watch for signs of the government shutdown endingNo rangers, no restrooms, no weddings? Couples caught in shutdown chaos‘Keep your mouth shut.’ Tempers flare over shutdown with no end in sightA few more Senate Democrats are needed to end the government shutdown. Is anyone budging?Who is Russ Vought? OMB director expected to play major role in shutdown.More: Government shutdowns, what’s happened before is now officially taking place again

How long have U.S. government shutdowns lasted?

Over the last five decades, and as of Oct. 1, there have been 22 federal shutdowns. The longest government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, occurred from December 2018 to January 2019 due to an impasse with Congress and the Trump administration over funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

• 1976: Under President Gerald Ford. Lasted for 11 days.
• 1977: Under President Jimmy Carter. Lasted 12 days.
• 1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
• 1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
• 1978: Under Carter. Lasted 17 days.
• 1979: Under Carter. Lasted 11 days.
• 1981: Under President Ronald Reagan. Lasted two days.
• 1982: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
• 1982: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
• 1983: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
• 1984: Under Reagan. Lasted two days.
• 1984: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
• 1986: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
• 1987: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
• 1990: Under George H.W. Bush. Lasted four days.
• 1995: Under President Bill Clinton. Lasted five days.
• 1996: Under Clinton. Lasted 21 days.
• 2013: Under President Barack Obama. Lasted 17 days.
• 2018: Under President Donald Trump. Lasted three days.
• 2018: Under Trump. Lasted several hours.
• 2019: Under Trump. Lasted 35 days and cost the economy about $3 billion, equal to 0.02% of GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
• 2025: Under Trump. Started on Oct. 1, 2025.

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