U.S. Government Shutdown Breaks Record at 36 Days Amid Deep Political Standoff
As Democrats celebrate sweeping election victories, Trump’s second-term government faces chaos, frozen benefits, and nationwide frustration.
The United States entered Wednesday, November 5, 2025, marking the 36th day of the government shutdown — breaking the record for the longest budget stalemate in the nation’s history — as its impact continues to spread across millions of Americans.
The shutdown began on October 1, after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a temporary spending plan to keep federal agencies funded. Just past midnight Tuesday, the shutdown officially surpassed the previous 35-day record set in 2019 during Donald Trump’s first presidential term.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said at a Capitol Hill press conference Tuesday, “I’ll be honest with you — none of us expected the shutdown to last this long.”
Democrats Win Big as U.S. Shutdown Deepens
The government paralysis entered its 36th day shortly after major election results were announced, in which Democrats scored significant victories.
Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill were elected governors of Virginia and New Jersey, respectively, while progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race. In California, voters approved a measure to redraw the state’s electoral districts, seen as a direct response to a similar move by Republicans in Texas.
These elections serve as a barometer for the first nine months of Trump’s second term, and the government shutdown’s political fallout appears to be contributing to his party’s setbacks.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that his name “wasn’t on the ballot,” but that “the government shutdown and fake media narratives” were to blame for Republican losses, according to polling institutes.
42 Million Americans Affected
On the other side, Democrats celebrated their wins.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “Democrats defeated Donald Trump and the extremist Republicans across the country.”
The opposition now hopes to use these election results to influence the ongoing budget negotiations, as the American public increasingly feels the impact of the shutdown.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed, while others are working without pay until the crisis ends.
Social assistance programs have also been severely disrupted.
As federal funds for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) run dry, the President announced Tuesday that he would freeze food aid distribution to the 42 million Americans who rely on it — declaring that assistance will resume “only when left-wing Democrats reopen the government, which they could easily do.”
However, the federal courts intervened, ordering the administration to continue providing aid. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the government would comply with the ruling.
Leavitt added, “SNAP beneficiaries should understand that payments may still be delayed — because Democrats have put this administration in an impossible position.”
“Total Chaos” at Airports
Airports across the country are experiencing chaos, as a shortage of air traffic controllers leads to flight delays and cancellations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned in a press conference in Philadelphia, “If Democrats extend this crisis another week, you’ll see total chaos — countless flight delays across the country.”
In Congress, both parties remain entrenched: Republicans are proposing a continuation of current spending levels, while Democrats demand extended funding for healthcare programs benefiting low-income families.
A bipartisan group of four centrist House members proposed a compromise framework Monday aimed at reducing healthcare costs.
Democrats believe that millions of Americans facing rising insurance premiums next year will pressure Republicans into seeking a middle ground.
Under Senate rules, passing a budget requires several Democratic votes, even though Republicans currently hold the majority.
But Donald Trump has rejected any negotiations with Democrats on healthcare until “the government is reopened.”
On Tuesday, the Senate rejected the Republican budget proposal for the 14th time — with only three opposition senators voting in favor, as had been the case in every previous vote.
