The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. See how it compares

"It takes the title from the most recent shutdown, which stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 during the first Trump administration. That impasse started with Democrats' refusal to fund President Trump's southern border wall. It ended 35 days and an estimated $3 billion in lost GDP later after a series of escalating disruptions, including to air travel, put pressure on Trump and Republicans in Congress to reach a compromise."

"While Republicans control both chambers, they need 60 votes to pass a spending bill in the Senate. Democrats are using that as leverage to push for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are due to expire at the end of this year, potentially leaving millions of Americans without health insurance. Republicans have said they are open to talks on the subsidies but only after the government reopens."

The government shutdown entered its 36th day, making it the longest in U.S. history. The previous record was a 35-day shutdown in December 2018–January 2019 that cost an estimated $3 billion in lost GDP after escalating disruptions pressured leaders to compromise. The current shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to break a funding stalemate and shows no end in sight. There have been 20 funding gaps since 1976, though most were short and only three exceeded two weeks. Republicans control both chambers but need 60 votes in the Senate; Democrats seek an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Over one million federal workers are working without pay and roughly 600,000 have been furloughed.

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