On November 5, 2025, the United States marked a sobering milestone: the federal government shutdown officially became the longest in the nation’s history, entering its 36th day. The previous record, set during President Donald Trump’s first term, was 35 days. This time, the standoff has rippled through every corner of American life, from airports to dinner tables, and from the halls of Congress to the Supreme Court.
The shutdown’s origins lie in a bitter dispute over federal spending, with Democrats demanding renewed Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies and the reversal of recent Medicaid cuts as a condition for reopening the government. Republicans, led by President Trump, have resisted these demands, calling instead for a “clean” funding bill and, at times, blaming Democrats for prolonging the crisis. As negotiations stalled, critical programs and services ground to a halt, leaving millions of Americans in the lurch.
Perhaps nowhere has the impact been more visible than in the nation’s airports. According to Newsweek, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 10 percent reduction in flights across 40 high-volume airports, citing severe staffing shortages as air traffic controllers—unpaid for over a month—called out in record numbers. This move has led to cascading delays and cancellations, stranding travelers and raising the specter of a complete shutdown of U.S. airspace. “We can’t ignore it,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, emphasizing that the agency’s top priority was safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed the sentiment: “We are going to proactively make decisions to keep the airspace safe.”
But the pain doesn’t stop at the airport gates. The shutdown has also interrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions, with court filings revealing that emergency funds are nearly exhausted and new applicants left in limbo. Food banks across the country are overwhelmed, and small grocers and farmers who rely on SNAP transactions are bracing for economic fallout. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) captured the urgency, telling CNN, “You’ve got 42 million people who are going without food assistance, almost three quarters of a million in my state, when you’ve got people who are missing their paychecks, air traffic controllers, members of the military, FBI, I mean, this is real suffering, and it needs to end.”
Meanwhile, the shutdown’s effects have spilled over into other critical services. With nearly 90 percent of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff furloughed, progress on chemical approvals, waste management, and worker safety regulations has stalled, raising alarms among industry leaders and public health advocates. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) warned that public housing authorities may soon run out of resources to support more than four million families, as delays and funding gaps mount. “For over one month, the Left has held our government hostage,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner, blaming Democrats for the prolonged closure.
Inside the Capitol, blame-shifting and finger-pointing have defined the political theater. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been especially vocal, insisting that “Donald Trump and Republicans shut the government down and refuse to reopen it.” In a tense exchange on CNN, Jeffries doubled down, saying, “The American people clearly understand who's responsible for shutting down the government.” However, anchor Dana Bash pushed back, reminding him that Democrats have also voted against reopening measures, complicating the narrative.
Jeffries has also criticized the lapse in SNAP benefits, arguing that the administration “found $40 billion in order to bail out their right-wing dictator-wannabe friend in Argentina,” yet claimed it couldn’t find funds for hungry Americans. He’s repeatedly urged President Trump to “get off the sidelines and get in the game,” arguing that only the president’s direct involvement can break the impasse. “Until he does, this government will remain shut down,” Jeffries warned.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has echoed Jeffries’ calls for a bipartisan meeting with Trump, especially in the wake of sweeping Democratic victories in state elections across Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City. Schumer called the election results “a great night for America and a five-alarm fire for Donald Trump and Republicans,” arguing that voters had sent a clear message demanding an end to the shutdown. “As loudly and clearly as they could, the American people said last night, enough is enough,” Schumer declared on the Senate floor.
President Trump, for his part, has shifted his tone as the crisis drags on. Initially framing the shutdown as a strategic move, he now acknowledges its toll on federal workers and the broader economy. Speaking at a breakfast with Senate Republicans, Trump admitted that the shutdown is “politically damaging the GOP more than Democrats, since Republicans currently control Washington.” He’s also pressed Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster, arguing that doing so would allow the party to pass a funding bill and other priorities with a simple majority. “It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that’s terminate the filibuster,” Trump said. Yet many in his party remain unconvinced. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters, “The votes aren’t there.”
Divisions within both parties have complicated the search for a solution. While some Republicans, like Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), support ending the filibuster, others fear it would backfire if Democrats regain control. On the Democratic side, Senators Tim Kaine and Andy Kim argue that voters hold Trump responsible for the shutdown, while Senator Bernie Sanders insists that extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies must remain central to any deal. “The American people are beginning to catch on that [Republicans] are playing a losing hand,” Sanders said, urging Democrats to stand firm.
Amid the legislative gridlock, the Supreme Court has become a new battleground. On November 5, justices heard arguments challenging Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs. Several justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, expressed skepticism about the administration’s legal rationale. Roberts emphasized that taxing Americans through tariffs is “the core power of Congress.” The court’s eventual decision could have massive financial implications, with the Treasury Department estimating that the U.S. might need to refund up to $750 billion if the tariffs are struck down.
As the shutdown grinds on, some lawmakers see glimmers of hope. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) suggested a compromise could emerge pairing long-term appropriations with a vote on health insurance tax credits, a key Democratic demand. “You could have a deal tomorrow,” Rounds told CBS News, noting increased engagement from both sides. Yet, for now, the impasse remains, with millions of Americans waiting anxiously for relief.
In a country accustomed to political drama, the current shutdown stands apart for its sheer scope and the depth of its consequences. With both parties entrenched and vital services at risk, the nation watches—hungry for a resolution, and for leaders willing to put people before politics.
