US Government Shutdown History: A Data Summary
Since 1981, when Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti's legal opinion established the modern framework for government shutdowns during funding lapses, the United States has experienced 140 total days of shutdowns with employee furloughs across five presidential administrations. Republican presidents account for 98 of those days (70%), while Democratic presidents account for 42 days (30%). President Trump holds the record for the most shutdown days of any president with 81 total days across both terms, including the two longest shutdowns in US history: 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019, and the recently concluded 43-day shutdown from October 1 to November 12, 2025. This latest shutdown surpassed all previous records and resulted in severe consequences including 670,000 furloughed workers, 730,000 employees working without pay, disruption of SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans, and over $7 billion in economic damage.
Key observations: The data reveals a significant increase in both the frequency and duration of shutdowns in recent decades. While Reagan experienced eight brief shutdowns totaling just 14 days, and George H.W. Bush had only one 3-day shutdown, more recent administrations have seen longer, more disruptive funding lapses. Notably, President Biden's administration (2021-2025) had zero shutdown days, despite passing 13 continuing resolutions to maintain government funding. The 43-day shutdown that just ended represents a troubling escalation in partisan gridlock, as it's more than twice the length of Clinton's 21-day shutdown from 1995-1996, which had previously held the record for over two decades. The pattern suggests that government shutdowns have evolved from brief, technical funding gaps into extended political standoffs with increasingly severe real-world impacts.
US Government Shutdown Days by President
Actual shutdowns with employee furloughs since 1981 (Total: 140 days)
Republican Presidents (98 days)
- Reagan: 14 days
- G.H.W. Bush: 3 days
- Trump: 81 days (combined)
Democratic Presidents (42 days)
- Clinton: 26 days
- Obama: 16 days
Prior to 1981, funding gaps under Ford and Carter didn't result in actual shutdowns.
Note: Trump's total includes 38 days from his first term and 43 days from his second term (Oct 1-Nov 12, 2025 - the longest shutdown in US history).
Republican Presidents: 98 days total
- Reagan: 14 days
- G.H.W. Bush: 3 days
- Trump: 81 days ⭐ NEW RECORD
Democratic Presidents: 42 days total
- Clinton: 26 days
- Obama: 16 days
- Biden: 0 days
Total: 140 shutdown days since 1981
The 2018-19 shutdown (35 days) was the previous record - both occurred under Trump. Prior to 1981, funding gaps didn't cause shutdowns.
Impact of Recent 43-day Shutdown:
- 670,000 furloughed workers
- 730,000 working without pay
- 42,000,000 Americans lost SNAP benefits
- $7,000,000,000+ economic damage
- Major airport delays