how long is the government shut down

The current U.S. federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, and is ongoing as of now. The duration of government shutdowns varies widely based on political negotiations, but historically, shutdowns have ranged from a few days to over a month. The longest shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass funding bills before the fiscal year starts, causing a lapse in government funding. During a shutdown, many government operations halt, non- essential employees are furloughed, and only essential services remain active until a funding agreement is reached and signed into law. So far in 2025, as no funding bills were passed before the fiscal year began on October 1, the government shutdown started immediately and remains unresolved. The length of this shutdown will depend on how quickly Congress and the President reach an agreement to restore government funding.