A history of government shutdowns: The 14 other times funding has lapsed since 1980

Washington — The U.S. government shut down on Wednesday, Oct. 1, after President Trump and congressional Republicans were unable to avert a lapse in federal funding . Some 35 days later, it surpassed the record for longest shutdown on record.

Republicans have rejected Democrats' push to permanently extend enhanced tax credits for Americans enrolled in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, which expire at the end of the year.

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding for federal agencies. Before 1980, agencies largely continued operating during a lapse in funding with the assumption that Congress would act quickly. But in 1980 and 1981, then-Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti authored a series of legal opinions that found government age