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Tuesday marks the 21st consecutive day of the ongoing government shutdown.
WASHINGTON — The government shutdown of 2025 reached its 21st day on Tuesday, solidifying its position as one of the longest in U.S. history, with no resolution currently apparent.
By reaching this duration, the shutdown is now tied for the second-longest in American history, equaling the record set during the 1995-1996 shutdown under President Bill Clinton.
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, showcasing their collective stance against negotiating with Democrats’ current demands.
In contrast, Senate Democrats remain steadfast in their approach, consistently voting against a House-passed bill intended to reopen the government. They are waiting for Republicans, including President Trump, to address their concerns over extending health care subsidies set to expire at the year’s end.
What was the longest government shutdown?
The last government shutdown, before the current one, was also the longest. It happened during Trump’s first term and stretched from Dec. 22, 2018, to Jan. 25, 2019, lasting 35 days.
The 2018-19 shutdown centered on a dispute over Trump’s $5.7 billion demand for funding for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The shutdown finally ended when Congress passed a continuing resolution that reopened the government without providing the border wall funds Trump had sought.
Prior to 2018-2019, the longest government shutdowns ranged from 11 to 21 days.
The 2025 government shutdown would tie the longest in history on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
How many days has the government been shut down?
As of Tuesday, Oct. 21, the government has been shut down for 21 days. That ties the second-longest shutdown in history, which lasted from Dec. 16, 1995, to Jan. 6, 1996, during the Clinton administration.
That impasse followed a dispute between President Bill Clinton and Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich over proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. Clinton vetoed the Republican spending bill, triggering a brief shutdown in November 1995 before the longer closure began in December.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
