The current U.S. federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, due to Congress failing to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown is ongoing, and there is no clear end date yet. Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked, with both sides holding firm on their budget priorities and demands, including disputes over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Senators will be away until Friday, indicating the shutdown will last at least several days longer, and no agreement to end the shutdown has been reached so far.
This shutdown is the 21st funding gap and 11th shutdown in modern U.S. history, third such event under President Donald Trump in his current term. Approximately 900,000 federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay. Essential services continue, but many programs face suspensions until the funding issue is resolved. Historically, government shutdowns can last from a few days to over a month, but the exact duration of this one depends on the forthcoming negotiations.
