Partisan Dispute on Healthcare Subsidies Leaves Government Stalled in 35-Day Shutdown
On November 4, 2025, the U.S. government shutdown reached its 35th day, equaling the longest in American history, as the standoff between Democrats and Republicans shows no sign of resolution. The impasse, rooted in disputes over federal funding and the continuation of pandemic-era healthcare subsidies, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of federal employees missing paychecks and has interrupted essential government services. As the Senate prepares for a 14th vote on a temporary funding measure supported by Republicans, both parties remain firmly opposed, raising concerns about economic consequences and increasing public dissatisfaction.
This shutdown echoes the 35-day closure of 2018-2019, which was sparked by a disagreement over then-President Donald Trump’s request for $5.7 billion to build a border wall. The current deadlock arises from Democrats’ insistence on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies, set to expire at the end of December, before agreeing to any funding bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., admitted that the November 21 deadline in the House-approved bill is no longer realistic, indicating a move toward a more extended funding plan. “That date is off the table,” Thune remarked, expressing willingness to consider funding the government into early 2026, as reported by an
The financial impact continues to grow. The Congressional Budget Office projected that a shutdown lasting four weeks could cut fourth-quarter GDP growth by one to two percentage points, with losses potentially reaching $1.4 billion if the closure extends to eight weeks, according to
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and other Democrats have characterized the standoff as a matter of ethics. “Americans are facing a healthcare crisis unlike anything we’ve seen before,” Schumer stated, accusing Republicans of putting political interests ahead of the public good. Republicans, on the other hand, claim that linking funding to ACA subsidies is a bargaining tactic. “The casualties of the Democrats’ shutdown are mounting,” Thune commented, calling for an end to what he described as “irresponsible” Democratic obstruction, according to
Past shutdowns, such as the 21-day closure in 1995-1996 and the 16-day shutdown in 2013, illustrate the growing frequency of these crises in a deeply divided Washington. The current impasse has already outlasted the 1995-1996 shutdown and now matches the 2018-2019 record. With the Veterans Day break approaching and the political landscape shifting ahead of mid-term elections, pressure on lawmakers is intensifying. Still, with no agreement in sight, the ongoing shutdown underscores the difficulties of governing amid increasing polarization, as highlighted by
