08/11/2025
The U.S. federal government shutdown, now at 38 days, has officially eclipsed the previous record set during President Trump’s first term, making it the longest shutdown in American history. This unprecedented closure, triggered by Congress’s failure to agree on funding commencing October 1, has rapidly rippled across the nation with escalating consequences.
Over 670,000 federal workers have been furloughed or forced to work without pay, jeopardizing thousands of government jobs and delivering a severe blow to household incomes. The shutdown threatens vital programs for roughly 42 million low-income Americans reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with partial assistance payments faltering under lapsed funding. The uncertainty around paychecks is amplifying anxiety among federal employees while critical services remain stalled.
Beyond personal hardships, the shutdown’s economic toll is staggering. Estimated losses range from $7 billion to $14 billion, with the Congressional Budget Office warning of a potential 1 to 2 percentage point drag on U.S. GDP growth in the fourth quarter alone. The paralysis has extended to air travel, where 13,000 air traffic controllers are working unpaid, prompting Transport Secretary Sean Duffy to warn that sections of U.S. airspace and up to 40 major airports may face operational shutdowns if the stalemate continues.
Lawmakers remain gridlocked amid bitter political deadlock. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed cautious optimism about a breakthrough, yet 14 failed votes have underscored the impasse. Democrats insist on extending health care subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans demand a “clean” spending bill free of such conditions.
Sources: Reuters, CNN, NY Times, Congressional Research Service, News reports