"The Record-Breaking Length of the Longest U.S. Government Shutdown"

The federal government is facing the possibility of its third shutdown in 10 years, with no immediate resolution in sight. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history occurred from December 21, 2018, to January 25, 2019, lasting a total of 34 days. This shutdown, like others in the past, resulted in furloughed federal employees and those working without pay. Previous lengthy shutdowns occurred in 1995-1996, lasting 21 days, and in 2013, lasting 16 days. The current budget process, enacted in 1976, has seen a total of 20 funding gaps lasting at least one full day.