The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history lasted 43 days.

Quick answer

  • The record shutdown ran for 43 days, from October 1, 2025, to November 12, 2025.
  • It occurred during Donald Trump’s second presidency and is now considered the longest shutdown on record, surpassing the previous 35‑day shutdown of 2018–2019.

A bit of context

  • The 2025 shutdown was triggered by a budget fight over extending expanded Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies , with Senate Democrats opposing a Republican funding bill that omitted the subsidy extension.
  • The government fully reopened when Congress passed a revised appropriations bill that President Trump signed on November 12, 2025.

How it compares to past shutdowns

  • The 2018–2019 shutdown lasted 35 days , previously the longest in U.S. history.
  • Earlier long shutdowns include 21 days in 1995–1996 , 17 days in 1978 , and 16 days in 2013 , all now shorter than the 2025 record.

So if you’re asking “how long was the longest government shutdown?” the precise answer is: 43 days.