- The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1 over Medicaid funding disagreements, is now the second-longest in U.S. history.
- With no clear end in sight, lawmakers have failed 12 times to pass a House-backed bill to reopen the government.
- Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is threatened, potentially delaying November benefits for millions.
The second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues, still with no clear end in sight.
As of Oct. 27, the shutdown has been active for 26 days after it began on Oct. 1 amidst disagreements on Medicaid funding. Democrats and Republicans continue to blame one another for the shutdown, which occurred when Congress failed to agree on a budget or temporary funding measures.
While the Senate returns Oct. 27, a 13th vote towards a House-backed bill that would allow the government to reopen is not planned. Other possible methods of reopening the government, such as the GOP-backed bill, the Shutdown Fairness Act, may soon be introduced with no clear date planned for the 13th vote.
The continued shutdown and uncertainty of when a vote may come is also marked as funds for vital government food assistance programs are threatened. Here’s what residents of North Carolina and the U.S. should know.
How long will the government shutdown last?
There is no specific end in sight to the government shutdown that began Oct. 1. However, Oct. 27 betting odds on Polymarket, an online prediction market, provide some insight into the confidence of the American public on its longevity, with odds rising against the chance that the shutdown will end anytime soon:
- 6% believe the government shutdown will end by Oct. 31
- 21% believe the government shutdown will end by Nov. 7
- 56% believe the government shutdown will end by Nov. 15
- 84% believe the government shutdown will end by Nov. 30
- 93% believe the government shutdown will end by Dec. 31
- 96% believe the government shutdown will end by Jan. 31
When is the next vote on the government shutdown?
While the Senate returns at 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, a 13th vote on a House-backed bill that could reopen the government is not planned.
Democrats and Republicans continue to trade blame amid the second-longest shutdown in history, with any potential votes pending as lawmakers continue to find alternate ways to reopen the government.
The Senate has failed 12 times to pass a House-backed measure that would fund the government through Nov. 21, unable to garner the 60 votes needed to pass. The bill was last voted on Wednesday, Oct. 22. It remains unclear when or if a 13th vote will take place this week, or if an alternate vote on another measure, such as the GOP-backed bill, the Shutdown Fairness Act, will be reintroduced.
The shutdown is currently the second-longest in U.S. history after the 35-day shutdown caused by disputes over expanding barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border, which took place during President Donald Trump’s first term in 2018-2019.
How long has the government been shut down? When did the 2025 government shutdown start?
The 2025 federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1.
SNAP government shutdown changes: Is there funding for SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, provides food benefits to supplement grocery budgets, providing essential nutrition to low-income families.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities called SNAP “the nation’s most important and effective anti-hunger program.” The Center states that in 2024, 12% of U.S. residents (1 in 8) received SNAP benefits. The numbers in North Carolina are similar, with 13% of the state’s residents receiving SNAP benefits.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced on Oct. 27 that November benefits for the 1.4 million N.C. residents who rely on SNAP may be delayed if the government shutdown continues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture directed the postponement of November benefits on Oct. 10 due to the lapse in federal funding.
While October SNAP payments were unaffected, NCDHHS has not yet received the federal funding needed to distribute November benefits totaling roughly $230-250 million statewide.
Gov. Josh Stein urged the USDA to continue the use of contingency funds to prevent disruptions, calling the refusal to do so a “cruel abdication of responsibility.”
Residents are encouraged to continue applying for assistance and to check their EBT balances. Food resources remain available through NC 2-1-1 and local food pantries.
Who is not getting paid during the government shutdown?
During a government shutdown, federal workers considered nonessential stopped coming to work and getting paid. Essential workers in fields such as law enforcement and the military stay on the job without pay, and both groups are eventually reimbursed when the government reopens.
Military members did receive some pay after Trump signed a memorandum directing the defense department to pay service members with any funds “that remain available for expenditure.” But there is no guarantee that it will continue.
When was the last government shutdown? Longest government shutdown in history?
The last and longest government shutdown was in 2018-2019 during Trump’s first term. That 35-day shutdown was caused by disputes over expanding barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Prior to that, there was a 21-day shutdown in 1995-1996 during Bill Clinton’s presidency over major spending cuts and a 16-day shutdown in 2013 during Barack Obama’s administration over implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
The other seven government shutdowns since 1980 lasted anywhere from a few hours to five days.
What causes a government shutdown?
Federal government agencies and programs rely on annual funding appropriations passed by Congress. A government shutdown occurs when non-essential discretionary federal programs close due to a lack of funding following Congress’s failure to agree on a budget or temporary funding measures.
Why did the government shut down in 2025?
USA TODAY reported that a main sticking point in the 2025 shutdown negotiations revolves around Medicaid funding, as many Democrats have pushed to reverse recent cuts to the program enacted as part of Trump’s major tax and spending law.
Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year are also a main talking point. If Congress doesn’t intervene, millions could see their health care premiums rise.
Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK, contributed to this report.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
