U.S. Shutdown Threatens to Become Longest in History as Trump Pressures Democrats to End Stalemate

Key Facts

Published: October 13, 2025 Location: Washington D.C. Source: Washington Times, Fox News, Just the News, Wire Services

• Ongoing U.S. government shutdown enters third week, 13th day of funding lapse
• Speaker Mike Johnson warns impasse could become longest shutdown in U.S. history
• Democrats demand $1.5 trillion for extended healthcare subsidies
• GOP insists on “clean” bill
• Over 4,000 layoffs and 750,000 furloughs deepen national impact as agencies suspend projects

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The United States is barreling toward what could become the longest government shutdown in American history, now entering its third week with no end in sight and both sides dug in over a partisan spending standoff.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) warned Monday that the shutdown — already the fifth-longest on record — could soon surpass previous records unless Senate Democrats agree to pass the Republican-backed continuing resolution (CR) that would temporarily fund the government through November 21.

“We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history unless Democrats drop their partisan demands and pass a clean, no-strings-attached budget to reopen the government and pay our federal workers,” Johnson said in a press conference.

The shutdown, which began October 1 after Senate Democrats blocked the House-passed funding bill, has now entered its 13th day. Republicans say their temporary funding measure would allow time for negotiations on a long-term deal while keeping government operations running. Democrats, however, have refused to advance it unless it includes $1.5 trillion in additional funding to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies and other health programs.

President Donald J. Trump has backed Johnson’s position and intensified his attacks on Democrats for what he calls “a dangerous and unnecessary government shutdown.” He vowed that military personnel would continue receiving pay despite the broader funding lapse. “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE,” he posted online.

The political standoff has triggered widespread disruption, including the layoff of 4,000 federal employees across several departments and the furlough of roughly 750,000 others. The administration has also suspended billions in infrastructure and clean energy projects nationwide.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision to issue layoffs during the shutdown, saying, “We are $37 trillion in debt, and there is no more money coming into the federal government’s coffers. Democrats have forced this administration to make hard fiscal choices.”

Historically, the longest shutdown lasted 35 days during Trump’s first term from December 2018 to January 2019. The second-longest was a 21-day closure under President Bill Clinton in 1995, followed by a 16-day shutdown during President Barack Obama’s tenure in 2013.

“This would be the third-longest shutdown in U.S. history,” Johnson noted, “and if Democrats keep up their obstruction, that’s exactly where we’re headed.”

Democrats argue they are standing firm for working families, accusing Republicans of trying to “gut healthcare.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the Trump administration is “callously choosing to hurt people” with federal layoffs, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said his party is focused on “confronting skyrocketing healthcare costs.”

As federal workers brace for missed paychecks and agencies warn of mounting delays in services, the Senate is expected to take another procedural vote Tuesday evening. If no agreement is reached soon, the shutdown could surpass the 2019 record — cementing it as the longest in U.S. history.

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