U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) holds a copy of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act as he speaks next to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) during a press conference on the third day of a partial shutdown of the federal government at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. October 3, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is about to become the nation’s longest federal funding lapse ever.
The shutdown is poised to hit that milestone on Wednesday, marking its 36th day and surpassing the previous record, which was set in early 2019.
The latest attempt to break the logjam, by getting a Republican-backed stopgap measure passed by Congress, failed in the Senate for the 14th time on Tuesday.
There are no further votes scheduled Tuesday on the GOP’s short-term continuing resolution, or on an alternative proposal put forward by Democrats, which includes additional spending on health care and other priorities.
Both of the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history occurred while President Donald Trump was in office.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.