Government Shutdown FAQs

What is a government shutdown?

Answer: A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass all 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government or a continuing resolution (CR), which typically maintains funding levels while lawmakers work to complete their spending bills.

When has the US government experienced shutdowns before?

Answer: Since 1980, there have been 12 government shutdowns, with only three occurring since the 2000s.

The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, which established the federal budget process, was enacted in 1976.

Here are the dates of government shutdowns since then and the duration of each shutdown:

Nov 20–22, 1981 | Ronald Reagan | ~2 days
Sept 30 – Oct 2, 1982 | Ronald Reagan | ~1 day
Dec 17–21, 1982 | Ronald Reagan | ~3 days
Nov 10–14, 1983 | Ronald Reagan | ~3 days
Sept 30 – Oct 3, 1984 | Ronald Reagan | ~2 days
Oct 16–18, 1986 | Ronald Reagan | ~1 day
Dec 18–20, 1987 | Ronald Reagan | ~1 day
Oct 5–9, 1990 | George H. W. Bush | ~3 days
Nov 13–19, 1995 & Dec 15, 1995 – Jan 6, 1996 | Bill Clinton | 5 days + 21 days
Oct 1–17, 2013 | Barack Obama | 16 days
Dec 22, 2018 – Jan 25, 2019 | Donald Trump | 35 days
Oct. 1, 2025 - Nov. 13, 2025 | Donald Trump | 43 days

What government programs are affected during a shutdown?

Answer: Programs such as Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid continue to operate, along with the Postal Service, Veterans' Affairs hospitals and clinics, and Immigration and Border Patrol security activities, among others. However, federal employees are likely to go without pay, and several agencies, like the IRS and Small Business Administration, will experience service disruptions due to furloughs. Housing programs may also face delays in rental assistance and loans.

What happens during a government shutdown?

Answer: Essential federal workers continue to work during the shutdown and forgo paychecks until funding is restored, while non-essential workers are furloughed and will receive back pay under federal law. The government shutdown will not be resolved until Congress passes the necessary bills and the president signs them into law.

How much does a government shutdown cost the US?

Answer: A 2019 report by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee found that the three prior government shutdowns cost at least $3.7 billion in back pay to federal workers for 54 furlough days. It also identified $338 million in other costs stemming from the shutdowns, such as extra administrative work, lost revenue, and late fees on interest payments.

Why was the government shutdown in 2025?

Answer: The government entered a partial shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025, after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a funding bill. Earlier, Senate Republicans attempted to pass a short-term extension of fiscal year 2025 government funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR). However, this effort was not supported by Democrats. The proposed bill would have allowed Congress until Nov. 21, 2025, to establish fiscal year 2026 funding priorities.

In addition, Democrats advocated for a CR that would extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which were set to expire at the end of 2025. Republican leaders indicated they were open to discussing healthcare funding later in the year.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., needs at least eight Senate Democratic caucus members to join Republicans to reopen the government.

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