How many days did the longest government shutdown in U.S. history last, ending on November 12, 2025?

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history concluded on November 12, 2025, after a remarkable 43 days. This significant event began on October 1, 2025, when Congress failed to pass the necessary appropriations legislation to fund the federal government for the 2026 fiscal year. The primary sticking point in the legislative standoff was the disagreement between the Republican-controlled House and Senate Democrats over the extension of expanded Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, among other spending priorities.

During the 43-day impasse, numerous federal operations were severely impacted. Approximately 900,000 federal employees were furloughed, while another two million continued to work without pay, leading to considerable financial strain for many families. Essential services faced disruptions, including the freezing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and funding gaps for Head Start programs, which provide critical early childhood education. The shutdown also posed risks to public health and safety and inflicted billions of dollars in economic damage.

The resolution came on November 12, 2025, when President Donald Trump signed a revised appropriations bill. This bipartisan agreement, reached after extensive negotiations, funded the government through January 30, 2026, and addressed some of the contentious issues, though the question of ACA subsidy extensions was deferred for a later vote. This shutdown surpassed the previous record of 35 days set during the 2018-2019 period, underscoring the growing challenges in achieving timely budget agreements in a divided political landscape.