Longest Government Shutdown In American History

Nephtaly Augustin 28’

The government shutdown in 2025 has been the longest in U.S. history. It lasted for 43 days, from October 1st to November 12th. President Donald Trump signed a bill to fund the government through January 30th, 2026.

The 2025 government shutdown started when emocrats wanted to extend the ACA health care premium insurance tax credits bill. Republicans disagreed with Democrats’ idea to help low-income Americans with these insurance premiums, and wanted the SNAP program service to be discontinued because of the budget being $9.2 billion. Considering SNAP is the major government funded program that feeds millions of Americans that are low-income, Democrats didn’t want to agree on passing the appropriations bill, or go through under a continuing resolution without it, resulting in the government shut down.

During the shutdown, about $18 billion was frozen in infrastructure funding for New York City. $8 billion was also blocked for energy projects in 16 states that voted blue in the last presidential election. Many federal workers were furloughed and the Trump administration suggested during this shutdown there was a chance of workers facing personnel actions.

A Fontbonne student opinion on the matter of federal workers being furloughed: “It’s upsetting to hear people have gone weeks without pay. I’m sure many of these workers have families who count on that money for rent, groceries, and bills. Ensuring people are paid for doing their jobs should be a top priority.”