Top 10 Longest Government Shutdowns in the United States

Government shutdowns represent one of the most visible consequences of political gridlock in the United States. When Congress and the President cannot agree on funding legislation, federal agencies must suspend non-essential operations, furloughing hundreds of thousands of employees and disrupting services that millions of Americans depend on. These shutdowns have become increasingly common since the modern budget process was established, with some lasting only hours while others have stretched for weeks, causing significant economic and social disruption.

The history of government shutdowns reveals patterns of political conflict, from budget disputes in the 1980s to high-stakes policy battles in recent years. Each shutdown tells a story of competing priorities, partisan politics, and the real-world impact of legislative impasses on federal workers, government contractors, and ordinary citizens who rely on federal services.

Understanding these shutdowns provides insight into the functioning of American democracy, the balance of power between branches of government, and the human and economic costs of political disagreement. From brief weekend shutdowns that barely register in public consciousness to month-long crises that capture national attention, these events shape public perception of government effectiveness and political leadership.

Methodology

This list ranks government shutdowns by their duration in days, from shortest to longest among the most significant shutdowns in U.S. history. The ranking considers:

• Duration of the shutdown period
• Historical significance and impact
• Number of federal employees affected
• Economic consequences
• Political context and resolution
• Public awareness and media coverage

Each shutdown is evaluated based on verified dates from official government records and historical documentation. The list focuses on full or partial federal government shutdowns that resulted from funding gaps, excluding brief technical shutdowns that lasted only hours.

List of Longest Government Shutdowns

10. 1986 Shutdown - 1 Day

The October 1986 shutdown lasted just one day, from October 16 to October 17, making it one of the briefest shutdowns in modern history. This shutdown occurred during President Ronald Reagan's second term and was caused by disagreements over spending levels and various policy riders. The shutdown was resolved quickly when Congress and the administration reached a compromise.

The 1986 shutdown affected approximately 500,000 federal employees who were furloughed during the brief period. The shutdown disrupted various government services, though its extremely short duration limited the long-term impact. The shutdown was resolved when Congress passed a continuing resolution that provided temporary funding.

What makes this shutdown notable is its extremely brief duration, demonstrating that shutdowns could be resolved within hours when both sides were committed to finding a solution. The quick resolution showed that political disagreements did not always need to result in extended government dysfunction, though this pattern would become less common in later years as shutdowns became more politicized and longer in duration.

9. 1981 Shutdown - 2 Days

The November 1981 shutdown lasted just two days, from November 20 to November 21, making it one of the briefest shutdowns in modern history. This early shutdown occurred during President Ronald Reagan's first term, when Congress and the administration disagreed over spending levels and budget priorities. Despite its short duration, this shutdown established patterns that would become familiar in later years.

The 1981 shutdown affected approximately 400,000 federal employees who were furloughed during the brief impasse. The shutdown was resolved quickly when Congress passed a continuing resolution that provided temporary funding while budget negotiations continued. This early experience demonstrated that shutdowns could be resolved relatively quickly when both sides were willing to compromise.

What makes the 1981 shutdown notable is its role in establishing the modern precedent for government shutdowns. It showed that the threat of a shutdown could be used as a negotiating tool, setting the stage for longer and more contentious shutdowns in subsequent years. The quick resolution also demonstrated that brief shutdowns could be politically manageable, though later shutdowns would prove more difficult to resolve.

8. 1990 Shutdown - 3 Days

The October 1990 shutdown lasted three days, from October 5 to October 7, and occurred during President George H.W. Bush's administration. This shutdown was part of broader budget negotiations that would eventually lead to significant deficit reduction legislation. The shutdown occurred when Congress and the administration could not agree on a budget package that addressed growing concerns about the federal deficit.

The 1990 shutdown affected approximately 2,800 federal employees, a relatively small number compared to later shutdowns. The brief duration and limited scope reflected the fact that both sides were actively negotiating and close to an agreement. The shutdown was resolved when Congress passed a continuing resolution that provided temporary funding while final budget negotiations continued.

What makes the 1990 shutdown notable is its context within broader fiscal policy debates. The shutdown occurred during discussions that would eventually produce the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, which established new budget rules and deficit reduction targets. The relatively quick resolution demonstrated that shutdowns could be resolved when both sides were committed to finding common ground, though the underlying policy disagreements remained significant.

7. January 2018 Shutdown - 3 Days

The January 2018 shutdown lasted three days, from January 20 to January 22, and occurred during President Donald Trump's first year in office. This shutdown was caused by a dispute over immigration policy, specifically the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and border security funding. Senate Democrats sought protections for DACA recipients, while Republicans and the administration pushed for increased border security funding.

The January 2018 shutdown affected approximately 692,900 federal employees who were furloughed during the brief impasse. The shutdown disrupted various government services, though its short duration limited the long-term impact. The shutdown was resolved when Senate leaders agreed to continue negotiations on immigration policy while passing a short-term funding bill.

What makes this shutdown significant is that it occurred less than a year before the longest shutdown in U.S. history, demonstrating how immigration and border security issues had become central to budget negotiations. The quick resolution showed that both sides recognized the need to keep government functioning while continuing policy discussions, though the underlying disagreements would resurface in the much longer shutdown that would follow later in the year.

6. 1984 Shutdown (September) - 3 Days

The September 1984 shutdown lasted three days, from September 30 to October 2, and occurred during President Ronald Reagan's first term. This shutdown was caused by disagreements over spending levels and various policy riders that members of Congress wanted to attach to the budget legislation. The shutdown occurred just before the start of the new fiscal year, creating pressure for a quick resolution.

The September 1984 shutdown affected approximately 500,000 federal employees who were furloughed during the brief period. The shutdown disrupted various government services, though its timing at the end of the fiscal year meant that many agencies had already completed much of their annual work. The shutdown was resolved when Congress passed a continuing resolution that provided temporary funding.

What makes this shutdown notable is that it was one of two shutdowns that occurred in 1984, showing how budget negotiations could become contentious even during periods of relative political stability. The shutdown demonstrated that even brief funding gaps could disrupt government operations and affect federal employees, establishing patterns that would continue in later years.

5. 1984 Shutdown (November) - 3 Days

The November 1984 shutdown lasted three days, from November 10 to November 12, making 1984 the only year with two separate government shutdowns. This second shutdown of the year occurred when temporary funding from the September resolution expired and Congress and the administration could not agree on a full-year budget. The shutdown occurred just after the 1984 presidential election, which Reagan won in a landslide.

The November 1984 shutdown affected approximately 500,000 federal employees, similar to the September shutdown. The timing after the election meant that both sides had some political cover, as the election results were already known. The shutdown was resolved when Congress passed another continuing resolution that provided funding through the remainder of the fiscal year.

What makes this shutdown significant is its occurrence in the same year as another shutdown, demonstrating how budget negotiations could become protracted even when one party controlled both the White House and significant portions of Congress. The two shutdowns in 1984 showed that political disagreements over spending priorities could persist regardless of electoral outcomes, establishing a pattern of annual budget battles that would continue for decades.

4. 1995 Shutdown (November) - 5 Days

The November 1995 shutdown lasted five days, from November 13 to November 17, and served as a prelude to the much longer shutdown that would follow just weeks later. This shutdown occurred during a period of intense conflict between President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress, which had been elected in the 1994 midterms on a platform of fiscal conservatism and government reform.

The November 1995 shutdown was caused by disagreements over budget priorities, with Republicans seeking deeper spending cuts than the Clinton administration was willing to accept. The shutdown affected approximately 800,000 federal employees and disrupted various government services. National parks closed, passport processing slowed, and many federal offices operated with skeleton crews.

What makes this shutdown significant is that it was quickly followed by an even longer shutdown in December, creating a period of extended government dysfunction. The November shutdown demonstrated the willingness of both sides to engage in extended political conflict, setting the stage for the 21-day shutdown that would begin just weeks later. The pattern of multiple shutdowns in quick succession showed how budget negotiations could become protracted battles.

3. 2013 Shutdown - 16 Days

The October 2013 shutdown lasted 16 days, from October 1 to October 16, and was one of the most significant shutdowns in modern history. This shutdown occurred during President Barack Obama's second term and was caused by a dispute over the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with House Republicans seeking to defund or delay the healthcare law as a condition for passing a budget. The shutdown represented a high-stakes political battle that captured national attention.

The 2013 shutdown affected approximately 800,000 federal employees who were furloughed, while another 1.3 million essential employees continued working without pay. The shutdown had widespread effects, closing national parks and museums, delaying government services, and disrupting scientific research. The economic impact was estimated at $24 billion, with significant effects on government contractors and businesses that depend on federal operations.

What makes the 2013 shutdown particularly significant is its connection to major policy debates over healthcare reform. The shutdown represented an attempt by House Republicans to use the budget process to achieve policy goals that they could not accomplish through normal legislative means. The eventual resolution, which included only minor changes to the ACA, demonstrated the limits of using shutdowns as policy tools, though the political conflict continued in other forms.

2. 1995-1996 Shutdown - 21 Days

The 1995-1996 shutdown lasted 21 days, from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996, and was the longest shutdown in U.S. history until 2018. This shutdown occurred during a period of intense conflict between President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress, which had been elected in 1994 on a platform of reducing government spending and balancing the budget. The shutdown was caused by disagreements over Medicare, Medicaid, education, and environmental spending.

The 1995-1996 shutdown affected approximately 800,000 federal employees who were furloughed during the extended period. The shutdown had widespread effects, closing national parks and museums, delaying tax refunds, and disrupting various government services. The economic impact was significant, with estimates suggesting the shutdown cost the economy billions of dollars in lost productivity and delayed economic activity.

What makes this shutdown particularly notable is its duration and the political dynamics that surrounded it. The shutdown represented a test of wills between a popular president and a newly empowered congressional majority, with both sides believing they had public support. The eventual resolution, which largely preserved Clinton's budget priorities, was seen as a victory for the administration and demonstrated the political risks of extended shutdowns. The shutdown established the 21-day record that would stand for over two decades until it was surpassed by the 2018-2019 shutdown.

1. 2018-2019 Shutdown - 35 Days

The 2018-2019 shutdown lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, and remains the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. This shutdown occurred during President Donald Trump's administration and was caused by a dispute over funding for border security, specifically the administration's request for $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The shutdown represented a high-stakes political battle that captured national attention and tested the limits of both political parties.

The 2018-2019 shutdown affected approximately 800,000 federal employees who were furloughed or required to work without pay, while essential employees in agencies like the Transportation Security Administration and Coast Guard continued working without compensation. The shutdown had widespread effects, closing national parks, delaying tax refunds, disrupting air travel security, and affecting food safety inspections. The economic impact was estimated at $11 billion, with significant effects on government contractors and the broader economy.

What makes this shutdown particularly significant is its unprecedented duration and the human cost it imposed on federal workers. The shutdown lasted long enough that many federal employees faced financial hardship, with some unable to pay rent or mortgages. The shutdown also demonstrated the limits of using government shutdowns as negotiating tools, as public opinion turned against both sides as the shutdown extended. The eventual resolution, which provided some border security funding but not the full amount requested, showed that extended shutdowns could be politically damaging for all parties involved. This shutdown broke the previous record of 21 days set in 1995-1996, establishing a new benchmark for the duration of government shutdowns.

Summary of the Top 10 Longest Government Shutdowns

Conclusion

Government shutdowns in the United States represent a unique feature of American democracy, where the failure to agree on funding legislation can bring large portions of the federal government to a halt. The history of these shutdowns reveals patterns of political conflict, from brief budget disputes in the 1980s to extended policy battles in recent years that have lasted for weeks and affected millions of Americans.

The longest shutdowns have occurred when fundamental policy disagreements become tied to the budget process, creating high-stakes political battles where both sides believe they have public support and political leverage. The record-breaking 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019 demonstrated the human and economic costs of political gridlock, affecting federal employees, government contractors, and ordinary citizens who depend on federal services.

The evolution of government shutdowns from brief interruptions to month-long crises reflects broader changes in American politics, including increased polarization, the use of budget negotiations as policy tools, and the willingness of both parties to engage in extended political conflict. As shutdowns have become longer and more frequent, they have raised questions about the sustainability of this approach to budget negotiations and the impact on public trust in government.

Understanding these shutdowns provides valuable insight into the functioning of American democracy, the balance of power between branches of government, and the real-world consequences of political disagreement. While shutdowns have become a familiar feature of American politics, their human and economic costs serve as reminders of the importance of effective governance and the need for political compromise in a functioning democracy.