The longest shutdown in government history—so far—appears to be on its way to ending now that a breakaway group of Democrats in the US Senate have agreed to vote to fund government operations in exchange for a promise by Republicans to consider extending Covid-era subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans. Democrats had portrayed protecting those subsidies as a red line, but getting nothing out of shutdowns is a tradition that goes back to the early 1980s. Here’s how a few of them ended up.
When: December 2018–January 2019
Length: 35 days
Ostensible reason: President Trump wanted more funding for a border wall between the US and Mexico and refused to sign a continuing resolution to fund the government unless he got it. Democrats, who had won the majority of the US House of Representatives the previous month and took over during the shutdown, declined to negotiate until he opened the government.
Result: You don’t really hear much about Trump’s border wall these days, do you? He caved.
When: January 2018
Length: Three days
Ostensible reason: Democrats refused to sign any budget that didn’t include protections for Dreamers. Trump declined to negotiate until they opened the government.
Result: Democrats caved in return for a promise that Republicans would consider immigration proposals. The US then solved its immigration disputes and the system worked efficiently and equitably for all forever afterward. [Touches earpiece] I’m informed that in fact they got nothing in the end.
When: October 2013
Length: 13 days
Ostensible reason: Republicans in the House, encouraged by US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, shut down the government to try to stop funding for the Affordable Care Act.
Result: The ACA, aka Obamacare, is still around, and Covid-era subsidies for premiums for enrollees were at the heart of the 2025 shutdown. “Goose egg, nothing, we got nothing,” US Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky said when it all ended.
When: November 1995 and December 1995-January 1996
Length: Five and 21 days, respectively
Ostensible reason: Newt Gingrich, then the speaker of the House, and Republicans in Congress tried to force budget cuts on Bill Clinton, who was then the President.
Result: Clinton got his budget, and by some accounts, these shutdowns ushered in a “new era of American gridlock.”
When: November 1981, October 1984, and October 1986
Length: One day, one afternoon, and one afternoon, respectively
Ostensible reasons: Disputes between Ronald Reagan, then the President, and members of Congress.
Result: You call those shutdowns? I’ve taken off more time for doctor appointments over the past year!
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
