Opening Paragraph
How long has the government been shut down? As of Monday, October 27, 2025, the federal government has been shut down for 27 days, since funding lapsed at 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1 when Congress failed to pass the necessary appropriations for the fiscal year.
What Happened and When
The shutdown began at the very start of fiscal year 2026, after the previous continuing resolution expired. Because no new appropriations bills were signed, many federal agencies moved to reduced operations or furlough status. The shutdown has now become one of the longest full federal government shutdowns in U.S. history.
Timeline Snapshot
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sep 30 2025 | Previous funding expired; no deal reached |
| Oct 1 2025 | Federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. ET |
| Oct 27 2025 | Shutdown reaches 27 days |
Impact & What It Means
Because of how long the shutdown has lasted:
- More than ~900,000 federal employees were furloughed and about 2 million have been working without pay.
- Services tied to federal funding are feeling stress. For example, benefits for major nutrition-programs are at risk of being suspended unless funding is restored.
- Some agencies continue operating (those deemed “essential” under shutdown rules) but many support functions are paused or operating at a reduced capacity.
Why This Shutdown Isn’t Over Yet
The deadlock centers on disagreements over healthcare subsidies, spending levels and other policy riders. The Senate has repeatedly failed to pass funding bills because they lack the 60-vote threshold. Unlike shorter shutdowns, this one is stretching into the fourth week, which magnifies the disruptions.
What “How Long Has the Government Been Shut Down?” Really Means for Americans
When you ask how long the government has been shut down, you’re asking about the duration since agencies lost funding and normal operations were interrupted. That matters because:
- Paychecks: Federal workers may face delayed or zero paychecks if the shutdown continues.
- Benefits: Programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and others serving low-income Americans may pause or see benefit disruption.
- Services: Public services from national parks to research agencies have reduced capacity or closures.
- Economy: The uncertainty ripples into broader economic indicators—consumer confidence, government contract payments, etc.
Because this particular shutdown has lasted nearly four weeks, the cumulative effect is higher than in many prior short-term funding lapses.
Historical Comparison
- The longest shutdown in U.S. history ran 35 days from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019.
- By mid-October 2025 this current shutdown has overtaken many past ones and by Oct 22 became the second-longest on record.
- Thus, when we ask how long has the government been shut down, we note that the answer places this event among the most serious funding lapses in U.S. history.
What to Watch Next
- The possibility of either a continuing resolution (short-term funding fix) or full appropriations bills being passed.
- Deadlines approaching for major programs or pay periods (for example nutrition‐aid benefits on November 1).
- Shifts in public or political pressure as the duration grows, asking how long has the government been shut down and when will it end.
- Economic data and services that may get further delayed, adding pressure to break the impasse.
In summary: when you ask “how long has the government been shut down?”, the federal shutdown has stretched to 27 days as of October 27 2025. The length, scope and impact are significant—and the clock keeps ticking.