The Brief

The government shutdown has officially reached 36 days, which is now the longest on record in United States history.

President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to save expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But some Democrats are questioning whether Trump will keep his word.

As the shutdown reaches its sixth week, millions of Americans who receive federal aid will face continued uncertainty.

The previous recordholder for longest government shutdown was in 2019, when then-President Donald Trump demanded Congress give him money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Why did the government shut down?

The backstory:

Republicans crafted a short-term measure to fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democra

See Full Page