WASHINGTON—On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the United States Senate rejected a House-passed Republican continuing resolution for the 14th consecutive time, ensuring that the ongoing federal government shutdown will surpass the previous record of 35 days and become the longest in American history. The vote on cloture for the motion to proceed to H.R.5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, failed 54-44, falling short of the 60 votes required under Senate rules to advance the bill. This impasse, which began at midnight on October 1, 2025, after fiscal year 2026 appropriations lapsed, has now tied the 35-day mark set during President Donald Trump's first term from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, and will officially break it upon entering its 36th day on Wednesday.
The legislation in question, H.R.5371, was narrowly approved by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on September 19, 2025, in a 217-212 party-line vote. It would provide stopgap funding at fiscal year 2025 levels through November 21, 2025, averting a shutdown by maintaining operations for federal agencies without new policy riders or significant changes. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has repeatedly described the bill as a "clean" continuing resolution (CR), insisting it represents a straightforward extension that could reopen the government immediately if Senate Democrats agreed to advance it.
In Tuesday's roll call, three Democrats—Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Angus King of Maine (an independent who caucuses with Democrats), and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania—joined all voting Republicans in supporting cloture, marking a slight increase in bipartisan backing compared to prior attempts. However, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against the measure, citing concerns over unchecked spending growth. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina were absent and did not vote. The outcome mirrored 13 previous failures since late September, where cloture votes ranged from 50-43 to 54-46, consistently blocked by a Democratic filibuster.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expressed guarded optimism ahead of the vote, stating on the floor that he remained "hopeful" a breakthrough could occur this week, potentially spurred by mounting public pressure over disrupted services. "There are no winners in a government shutdown," Thune remarked, "but there are plenty of losers—federal workers, families relying on nutrition assistance, travelers facing delays, and the American economy." He accused Senate Democrats of prolonging the crisis to extract concessions on unrelated health care policies.
Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, countered that the GOP bill is inadequate because it fails to address expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits set to lapse at year's end, which help millions afford health insurance, or reverse Medicaid cuts enacted earlier in 2025. Schumer has pushed an alternative CR, S.2882, that includes these protections, but it has also failed to advance. "Republicans can fully fund critical programs like SNAP, but they're choosing partial measures that hurt working families," Schumer said in a statement. Democrats argue the shutdown's pain provides leverage in a Republican-controlled government to restore funding for low-income health programs.
The shutdown's origins trace to a breakdown in bicameral negotiations over fiscal year 2026 spending priorities. House Republicans, aligned with President Trump's agenda, passed H.R.5371 as a bridge while pushing deeper cuts via reconciliation and rescissions under the Rescissions Act of 2025. Democrats demanded attachments for health extenders, leading to the October 1 lapse. Since then, approximately 670,000 federal employees have been furloughed, and 730,000 essential workers—such as air traffic controllers, TSA screeners, and border agents—have labored without pay. Back pay is guaranteed upon resolution, but missed checks have caused widespread hardship.
Economically, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a four-week shutdown could shave 1 percentage point off GDP growth, with an 8-week lapse doubling that impact, though much would rebound post-resolution. Daily losses in worker spending and curtailed services exceed $400 million. Tourism has cratered, with national parks closed and Smithsonian museums shuttered since mid-October, costing local economies millions. Air travel disruptions have affected over 3.2 million passengers, with staffing shortages at airports leading to delays and cancellations.
One of the most acute crises involves the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, serving 42 million Americans, including 17 million children. Contingency funds were exhausted by late October, and on November 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) paused full disbursements. Following lawsuits from over two dozen states and a federal judge's order in Rhode Island, the Trump administration announced partial November benefits—50% of normal amounts—using $4.6 billion in emergency reserves. Distribution, however, could take weeks due to state-level processing delays. President Trump, in remarks aboard Air Force One on November 2, vowed no further SNAP payments until Democrats end the shutdown, calling it "their political theater."
Food banks nationwide report surging demand, with lines extending blocks in cities like Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. The Capital Area Food Bank in D.C. served 20% more families in October than the prior month. Head Start programs for low-income preschoolers have begun closing in some areas as funds dry up. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) nutrition aid remains operational but faces strain.
Military personnel and certain law enforcement have fared better under executive actions. Trump directed the Pentagon to redirect unspent funds for active-duty pay, accepting a $130 million anonymous donation to bolster salaries. The Coast Guard and FBI agents also receive checks via creative accounting, though critics question legality.
Layoffs have added a new dimension, differing from past shutdowns where furloughs dominated. Over 4,000 civilian workers received reduction-in-force notices, with thousands more warned. Unions sued, securing a temporary restraining order, but the administration argues most actions comply.
Public opinion polls show divided blame: A Yahoo News-YouGov survey found 46% faulting "conservative Republicans" heavily versus 38% for "progressive Democrats." Enhanced ACA subsidies remain popular, supported by over 70% of Americans.
House Speaker Johnson, speaking to reporters Tuesday, labeled it "day 35 of the Democrat shutdown," expressing surprise at its duration. "We couldn't have imagined it's now tied for the longest shutdown in U.S. history," he said, refusing to recall the House for votes until the Senate acts. Johnson has held daily press conferences, framing Democrats as hostage-takers over health policy.
As Election Day coincided with the vote, both parties eyed political fallout. Off-year races in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City highlighted economic anxieties. Trump, campaigning in battlegrounds, predicted Democrats would cave post-election, while vowing no compromises on border security or spending cuts.
Impacts extend globally: Delayed passport processing hampers travel, FDA inspections lag, potentially risking food safety, and nuclear stockpile oversight at the National Nuclear Security Administration faces cuts.
Bipartisan talks remain stalled, with no formal conferences since September. Thune hinted at strategy shifts, possibly standalone bills for popular programs like troop pay or SNAP. Schumer called for "good-faith" negotiations, rejecting unilateral GOP advances.
Experts warn prolonged closure risks irreversible damage: Credit rating agencies monitor for downgrades, and investor confidence wanes, with Bitcoin dipping amid payroll uncertainties.
Federal workers shared stories of despair—skipped mortgages, maxed credit cards, and GoFundMe campaigns. A TSA agent in Atlanta told reporters, "We're screening bags on empty stomachs."
As dusk fell on Capitol Hill, the dome illuminated against autumn leaves symbolized inertia. With no votes scheduled Wednesday, the shutdown enters uncharted territory. Resolution requires 60 Senate votes or filibuster reform—unlikely amid polarization.
President Trump, in a Truth Social post, urged Democrats: "End the Schumer Shutdown NOW!" Yet, with health care cliffs looming and Thanksgiving approaching, millions await relief. The record-breaking lapse underscores Washington's dysfunction, where partisan lines trump public need.
In communities nationwide, food pantries overflow, parks gate locked, and paychecks vanish. One furloughed Park Service ranger in Yosemite lamented, "We're guardians of America's treasures, but can't guard our own families."
Analysts predict a post-election deal, perhaps extending funding into December with partial concessions. Until then, the shutdown grinds on, a testament to gridlock's human toll.
