U.S News

The U.S. government has been closed for the longest time.

The federal government has been shut down for 36 days, which is a new record, because the US Senate has once again failed to pass any laws.

BY JORDAN LEE

NOVEMBER 4, 2025

The U.S. government has been closed for the longest time

The U.S. government has not had full funding for 36 days in a row because the Senate did not pass a continuing resolution. The fourteenth vote, which was the most recent, did not get enough support to start up government operations again. As the longest shutdown in U.S. history comes to an end, agencies are getting ready for more service interruptions, more stress on federal workers' finances, and more worries about national security and air traffic control.

Politicians from both sides say that talks have gotten more serious in the last few days, with top senators quietly hinting that a funding framework is starting to take shape. Disagreements over funding for transportation, public health, and border security are still slowing things down. As the shutdown nears its sixth week without a deal, federal workers are still worried, agencies are having more trouble getting things done, and public pressure is rising.

Air transport officials say that if funding problems last too long, airports may have to limit traffic or close because they can't hire enough staff or keep people safe. Community groups say that more people are asking for emergency food and shelter. At the same time, small businesses that depend on federal contracts are laying off workers and having trouble making ends meet.

“We are closer to an agreement than we were a week ago, but we’re not there yet,” said one senior senator who requested anonymity. “Both sides know this shutdown cannot continue indefinitely.”

Federal employees are still dealing with uncertainty in the meantime. While some people go to work without pay, thousands are still on furlough. According to air traffic officials, if funding is not restored quickly, extended shortages may result in some airports temporarily closing or operating at reduced capacity.

The shutdown is starting to hurt small businesses that depend on federal contracts. Some have to cut back on hours or let people go.

Senators Intensify Talks as Public Pressure Grows

Lawmakers from both parties say that private talks have increased, and several senior senators said they were cautiously hopeful that a solution "could emerge within days." There hasn't been an announcement of a deal yet, and there are still big differences about how to spend the money.

Senate negotiators are said to be talking behind closed doors about how much money to give to programs that help people with transportation, healthcare, and food. These are the problems that have stopped the shutdown from moving forward.

In the meantime, federal workers are still dealing with uncertainty. Some people go to work without pay, but thousands are still on leave. Air traffic officials say that if funding isn't restored quickly, some airports may have to close temporarily or run at a lower capacity for a long time.

Community groups say that more people are asking for emergency help and food assistance because unpaid workers are having trouble paying for basic needs. The shutdown is starting to have an effect on small businesses that rely on federal contracts. Some of them have had to cut back on hours or fire workers.