The longest U.S. government shutdown on record lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. It surpassed the previous 21-day shutdown of 1995–1996 and remains the benchmark for length in American history.
Key points
- Scope and impact: The 2018–2019 shutdown affected hundreds of thousands of federal workers—furloughed and excepted—leading to delayed pay, disrupted services, and broader economic effects.
- End and context: The shutdown ended when Congress approved a temporary funding measure to reopen the government while negotiations continued on longer-term funding and policy disputes.
- Notable alternatives: Earlier lengthy stoppages were shorter (the 1995–1996 shutdown lasted 21 days under President Clinton), but none reached 35 days. Contemporary reporting confirms the 35-day duration as the record.
If you’d like, I can pull exact dates, number of affected employees, or the economic impact figures from specific sources and summarize them.
