How long has the federal government been shut down?
- - How long has the federal government been shut down?
Terry Moseley, USA TODAYNovember 7, 2025 at 1:05 AM
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The federal government enters Day 38 of the longest shutdown in U.S. history, which has furloughed about 750,000 federal employees, forced thousands more to work without pay, and cut off food assistance to millions of Americans. And starting Friday, Nov. 7, airports across the nation are bracing for cuts in airline flights due to a lack of pay for air traffic controllers.
There is some indication of progress, as the Senate is expected to vote on an amended budget bill on Friday after Republicans presented a new proposal that includes a short-term stopgap funding measure, along with a year’s worth of funding for food assistance, military construction, and veterans affairs.
But even if Senate Democrats and Republicans reach a deal to reopen the government this week, the legislation would require approval from the House before President Donald Trump could sign it into law.
1 / 9Food banks prepare for SNAP food assistance freeze amid the government shutdownSimone Matthew, a volunteer with Feeding South Florida, (L) hugs Tammy Norton, a Department of Treasury worker, as she stops to pickup essential food items on Oct. 28, 2025 in Dania Beach, Florida. As the government shutdown nears four weeks, Feeding South Florida launched a food distribution site for government employees who have been impacted. The organization handed out food items to approximately 250 families in need during the event.
More: How did the last shutdown end? As Trump breaks his own record, what did he say last time?
Is the government still shut down?
Yes, the federal government remains largely shut down and has been since just after midnight on Oct. 1.
With the exception of members of the military, who were paid on Oct. 15 and Oct. 31, and some Department of Homeland Security officers, other federal workers have gone without pay during the shutdown. Their last partial paycheck on Oct. 10 covered hours worked before the shutdown.
Are SNAP benefits being issued?
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund this month’s food aid for 42 million low-income Americans by Nov. 7, halting a plan to provide reduced benefits during the government shutdown.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island accused the administration of withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP or food stamps, for “political reasons” and ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the program so people get 100% of their benefits.
The Trump administration appealed McConnell’s decision, leaving it unclear whether SNAP benefits would be paid out in full as the judge had ordered.
1 / 14Free food as SNAP benefits haltedFood items at a Food Bank of the Rockies distribution site in Aurora, Colorado, including milk, pasta and frozen blueberries.
More: SNAP recipients to get as much as two-thirds of promised benefits.
What’s happening to U.S. flights?
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight reductions at major airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers resulting from the shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Nov. 5 ordered 10% flight cuts to start on Friday at 40 major U.S. airports, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, affecting both commercial and cargo services.
On Nov. 6, the FAA revised the plan and said airlines must cut 4% of domestic flights starting at 6 a.m. ET on Friday, then ramp up to a full 10% cut by Nov. 14.
What do Democrats and Republicans want for the government to reopen?
Democrats are pushing to ensure tax breaks for 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act and have refused to back a government spending bill that doesn’t address the issue.
Senate Democrats want to make the tax break permanent, which would otherwise expire at the end of the year, and provide reassurances to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.
Republicans and the president say they are open to considering a fix for the expiring ACA tax breaks, but want the issue addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse.
Contributors: USA TODAY's Joey Garrison, Trevor Hughes, Bart Jansen, Melina Khan, Kathryn Palmer, Rebecca Morin, James Powel, Marc Ramirez, Zachary Schermele, Zach Wichter, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Sarah D. Wire, Kathleen Wong, N'dea Yancey-Bragg; and Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long has the federal government been shut down?
Source: “AOL Breaking”
