The current government shutdown started on October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). As of now, it is ongoing with no definitive end date reported because Congress has not yet reached an agreement to approve the necessary funding legislation. This shutdown marks the first federal government closure in six years. The duration will depend on when Congress approves the funding to reopen the government.
Historically, government shutdowns in the U.S. have varied in length. For context, the longest shutdown lasted 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019. Shutdowns typically last from a few hours to several weeks, averaging about eight days based on past occurrences.
In summary:
- The 2025 shutdown began October 1 and is still ongoing.
- The length will continue until Congress passes funding legislation.
- Past shutdowns have lasted from hours to over a month, with the average being around a week.
This shutdown impacts many federal workers who may be furloughed, while essential services continue operating.
