2025 government shutdown is the longest in US history
FILE-The United States Capitol building is seen during the 35th day of the ongoing federal government shutdown in Washington D.C., United States, on November 4, 2025. As the shutdown reaches its 36th day, it has become the longest in U.S. history. (P
The government shutdown has officially reached 36 days, which is now the longest on record in United States history.
President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to save expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But some Democrats are questioning whether Trump will keep his word.
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As the shutdown reaches its sixth week, millions of Americans who receive federal aid will face continued uncertainty.
The previous recordholder for longest government shutdown was in 2019, when then-President Donald Trump demanded Congress give him money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Why did the government shut down?
The backstory:
Republicans crafted a short-term measure to fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats insisted that the measure address their concerns on health care.
RELATED: Sweeping layoffs 'have begun' as government shutdown drags on
They want to reverse the Medicaid cuts in Trump’s mega-bill passed this summer as well as extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.
Republicans said that’s all a non-starter.
Flight delays increasing
Dig deeper:
Flight delays and shortages among air traffic controllers continued as the shutdown continues this week.
Travelers flying out of New York City, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago saw dozens of delays and several cancellations since the shutdown began.
RELATED: What to know about SNAP benefits as government shutdown continues
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been warning that travelers will start to see more flight disruptions the longer controllers go without a paycheck.
Last Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said on X that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for weeks.
SNAP partially funded
Despite Trump announcing on Truth Social on Tuesday that SNAP benefits would not be funded until the government reopens, his administration said they would fully comply with the court order to keep benefits funded.
What they're saying:
"The administration is fully complying with the court order. I just spoke to the president about it," she said, adding, "We are digging into a contingency fund that is supposed to be for emergencies, catastrophes, for war. And the president does not want to have to tap into this fund in the future. And that's what he was referring to in his Truth Social post.
So the Department of Agriculture, as for the latest SNAP payment and the judge's order, put out guidance to states today on how to get that money to the recipients of SNAP. But it's going to take some time. The best way to get the full amount of SNAP benefits to those beneficiaries is for Democrats to reopen the government," she said.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press and previous reporting by FOX Local. This story was reported from San Jose.