The U.S. government shutdown has now entered its 36th day, marking the longest in history. This unprecedented stalemate comes as Republican and Democratic senators remain deadlocked over funding for essential federal departments, leaving millions of Americans in limbo.

This shutdown surpasses the previous record of 35 days, set during December 2018 and January 2019 when then-President Donald Trump insisted on border wall funding as part of the legislation. Currently, the standoff stems from Democratic senators’ demands for an extension of tax credits introduced during the Biden administration, which help lower health care costs for millions enrolling in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges.

As these credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, the stakes are high for many Americans who may find health insurance unaffordable. The Republican-controlled House passed its funding bill in September with support from only one Democrat, and Speaker Mike Johnson has since kept the House out of session, shifting legislative focus to the Senate. However, Majority Leader John Thune has held 14 votes on the proposed legislation, all failing due to insufficient Democratic support.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the ongoing shutdown could cost the economy up to $14 billion in GDP, depending on its duration. The human impact is also profound: approximately 700,000 federal workers have been furloughed, with a similar number still on the job without pay.

Former President Trump has largely stayed out of the negotiations, participating in only one unproductive meeting with key congressional leaders just before the shutdown began. Recently, he has urged Republican senators to eliminate the filibuster, a move opposed by Thune and other lawmakers. In mid-October, Trump controversially declared he would attempt to pay U.S. military personnel their regular salaries using unspent Pentagon funds, a decision some experts have criticized as potentially illegal.

The situation has worsened as food banks across the nation report a drastic rise in demand from unpaid federal workers, a trend expected to escalate. Compounding the issue, the Department of Agriculture has announced that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has run out, limiting benefits to half of the usual amount.

Republicans are blaming Democrats for the shutdown, accusing them of recklessness for refusing to support a short-term funding bill that would keep the government operational through November 21 while longer-term solutions are debated. Conversely, Democrats argue that the onus is on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress but require at least eight Democratic votes for passage in the Senate. So far, only three Democratic senators have backed the funding bill, while Republican Senator Rand Paul has opposed it.

On top of these tensions, Democrats are calling for action to address the anticipated 26% increase in ACA premiums due to the planned expiration of the tax credits, as reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Open enrollment for these health plans commenced at the start of November, intensifying the urgency for legislative action.