Government shutdown now second longest in U.S. history

The U.S. government shutdown entered its 22nd day on Wednesday, becoming the second-longest federal funding interruption on record, with no end in sight.

The milestone means the two longest shutdowns occurred while President Donald Trump was in office.

The longest shutdown began in December 2018, during Trump’s first term, and lasted nearly five weeks. The shutdown stems from a dispute over funding for Trump’s controversial immigration policy.

The current shutdown stems from Senate Democrats’ refusal to vote for a Republican-sponsored short-term government funding bill because it lacks additional spending on health care and other provisions.

Democrats want any funding bill to extend enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, otherwise health insurance premiums for millions of Americans could rise significantly in 2026. Those credits are set to expire at the end of the year.

Republicans accused Democrats of holding the government hostage and refused to negotiate on health care issues until the shutdown ended.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. But 60 votes are needed to pass a funding bill.

A stopgap resolution on funding, previously passed by the Republican-controlled House, failed to pass the Senate 11 times.

A Republican-backed bill that would only provide funding to the U.S. military failed in a procedural vote last Thursday.

No votes were scheduled for Wednesday as of 10:45 a.m. ET.

“We negotiated. I don’t know what there is to negotiate,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said after meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday.

“It’s about opening up government,” Thune said. “We have offered them several exit routes. The Democrats want something completely untenable.”

Democratic congressional leaders have asked to speak with Trump and want him to get involved in negotiations to resolve the shutdown.

When asked if Trump would talk with Democrats, Thune told reporters, “At some point, but open the government first.”