Historic Government Shutdown Nears End: Fallout and Political Repercussions

Wed Nov 12 2025 09:55:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history approaches its conclusion on Day 43, both parties face backlash from the public amidst economic strain and personal hardships affecting millions of Americans.

The monumental Day 43 of the government shutdown could culminate today, but frustration lingers among lawmakers and citizens. Democrats failed to secure vital health insurance measures, while polls reveal that both parties share the blame for the extensive economic impact. Federal workers have faced missed paychecks and food assistance disruptions, leading to long lines at food banks. Ultimately, reports suggest that the ramifications of the shutdown will affect the public’s perception ahead of upcoming elections.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The longest government shutdown in history could conclude as soon as today, Day 43, with almost no one happy with the final result.

Democrats didn’t get the health insurance provisions they demanded added to the spending deal. And Republicans, who control the levers of power in Washington, didn’t escape blame, according to polls and some state elections that went poorly for them.

The fallout of the shutdown landed on millions of Americans, including federal workers who went without paychecks and airline passengers who had their trips delayed or canceled. An interruption in nutrition assistance programs contributed to long lines at food banks and added emotional distress going into the holiday season.

The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things. All other funding would be extended until the end of January, giving lawmakers more than two months to finish additional spending bills.

Here’s a look at how the shutdown started and is likely to end.

What led to the shutdown

Democrats made several demands to win their support for a short-term funding bill, but the central one was an extension of an enhanced tax credit that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

The tax credit was boosted during the COVID response, again through Joe Biden’s major energy and health care bill, and it’s set to expire at the end of December. Without it, premiums on average will more than double for millions of Americans, with over 2 million projected to lose their health insurance coverage next year, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

“Never have American families faced a situation where their health care costs are set to double — double in the blink of an eye,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

While Democrats called for negotiations on the matter, Republicans said a funding bill would need to be passed first. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., promised Democrats a December vote on the tax credit extension, yet many Democrats insisted on a guaranteed resolution rather than a likely failed vote.

The first year of President Donald Trump’s second term has seen over 200,000 federal workers leave their jobs through firings, relocations, or the administration’s deferred resignation program, according to Partnership for Public Service. Entire agencies not aligned with the administration have been dismantled, affecting federal operations significantly.

The blame game

The political stakes in the shutdown are enormous, with leaders from both parties holding daily briefings to shape public narrative. Roughly 60% of Americans hold Trump and Congressional Republicans accountable for the crisis, while 54% view Democrats similarly.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that while the economic impact will mostly recover post-shutdown, a permanent loss of approximately $11 billion has been incurred.

“This dysfunction is damaging enough to our constituents and economy at home, but it also sends a dangerous message to the watching world,” remarked Senator Jerry Moran, highlighting the larger implications of the political impasse.