The U.S. federal government shutdown entered its 36th day on Wednesday, breaking the previous record set in 2019. The political deadlock between President Donald Trump’s administration and congressional Democrats continues, with neither side showing signs of compromise as essential services and millions of workers remain affected.

The Longest Shutdown in U.S. History

The current shutdown surpasses the 35-day record from Trump’s first term, underscoring a deep partisan divide in Washington. While Republicans and Democrats continue to blame each other, negotiations on Capitol Hill have shown little movement in more than five weeks. Democrats insist on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, while Trump and Republican leaders refuse to negotiate until the government is reopened.

Growing Impact on Americans

The prolonged shutdown is taking an increasingly heavy toll on everyday Americans. More than 42 million people relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have seen their benefits halted or partially paid. Health insurance premiums for ACA recipients have surged by as much as 300% in some states since open enrollment began on November 1.

Airports across the country are facing staffing shortages as thousands of air traffic controllers continue working without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that “mass chaos” could erupt if the shutdown persists, possibly forcing certain airspaces to close.

How the Shutdown Began

The crisis began on October 1, when competing funding proposals from Republicans and Democrats failed in the Senate. The Democratic plan sought to extend ACA subsidies, while the Republican proposal aimed to keep funding at current levels through November 1. When no deal was reached, government funding expired and operations came to a halt.

• October 10: The Trump administration began furloughing thousands of federal employees across multiple departments, including Commerce, Education, Health, and Housing.
• October 14: House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted the nation was “headed toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history.”
• October 15: The Pentagon confirmed that military salaries would continue to be paid, drawing $8 billion from existing funds.
• October 24: Over 500,000 federal workers missed their first full paycheck. Public-sector unions called on lawmakers to pass a short-term funding bill.
• October 30: Returning from a trip to Asia, President Trump urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster and unilaterally reopen the government—a proposal rejected by Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
• November 1: SNAP funds were depleted, leaving millions without full food assistance. ACA open enrollment began, with insurance premiums rising sharply.
• November 4: The Senate failed for the 14th time to advance a short-term funding bill, making the current shutdown the longest on record.

What Happens Next?

The key question now is whether President Trump will take a more direct role in negotiations to end the impasse. When asked, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the President had “made his position quite clear,” reiterating Republican calls to remove the Senate filibuster. However, Majority Leader Thune stated that he did not believe enough Republican senators would support such a move.