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35-Day U.S. Government Shutdown Leaves 3 Million Employees Furloughed and the Economy Contraction

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 0:47 GMT by News 12 Networks

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Lessons from the Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History

The United States has experienced several government shutdowns over the past five decades, but none have lasted as long or produced as many political ripples as the 35‑day halt that began on December 22, 2018 and ended on January 25, 2019. The Brooklyn News12 article “Power, Politics: Takeaways and Lessons from the Longest Government Shutdown Ever” distills the drama, the decision‑making that went wrong, and the practical consequences of a shutdown that left more than 3 million federal employees furloughed, services stalled, and the economy suffering a sharp, if short‑lived, contraction. In this overview, I highlight the key points and contextual background presented in the piece, weaving in additional details from linked sources that round out the picture.

The Political Spark

The shutdown’s root cause was a stalemate over the federal budget. The House of Representatives, dominated by Republicans, passed a spending bill that included a $5.7 billion earmark for a border wall, a project championed by President Donald Trump. The Senate, controlled by Democrats, rejected the wall provision and instead offered a “clean” budget without the wall. When the President signed the Republican bill, the Senate failed to override the veto, leaving Congress without an agreement to fund the government.

The article emphasizes how the shutdown was a “power play” – a tactic that each side saw as a way to pressure the other. Republicans wanted to force the Democrats to back the wall, while Democrats aimed to block the wall and keep the government open. The political narrative quickly became a partisan showdown that transcended the usual fiscal debate. The piece links to a CNN breakdown of the vote margins and a Washington Post profile of the negotiations that shows how hard‑line Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, were unwilling to compromise on the wall, whereas Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sought a compromise that would keep essential services running.

The Human Toll

While the article’s headline focuses on “power and politics,” it makes it clear that the shutdown’s most visible impact was on ordinary people. With more than 3 million federal employees furloughed, families were left with unpaid wages and delayed pensions. Many workers were required to return to work when funding resumed, creating a “gig‑style” schedule that proved stressful for those with children or caregiving responsibilities. The piece cites a Brookings Institution study that quantifies the shutdown’s psychological strain and the erosion of public trust in federal institutions.

The article also highlights the shutdown’s ripple effect on small businesses. Many contractors and vendors that rely on federal contracts found themselves unpaid, causing cash‑flow problems. The economic cost is estimated at roughly $15 billion, according to a GAO report linked in the article. A link to the report itself shows that the shutdown cost more than the federal government’s annual revenue, a stark illustration of the paradox of a “budget” that could not be enacted.

Service Disruption and Public Safety

Key federal agencies were not immune. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) furloughed nearly 80 % of its workforce, raising concerns about border security and immigration processing. The National Park Service closed 60 % of its facilities, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) halted new drug approvals. The article includes a link to the Department of the Interior’s statement that many parks remained closed, a decision that frustrated local tourism industries and led to public outcry.

The shutdown also forced the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to suspend non‑essential operations, including some surveillance programs. The article references a National Security Archive document that shows how the FBI’s “counterterrorism” operations were still partially staffed, but routine investigations stalled. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had to delay public health alerts and surveillance of disease outbreaks, a point the article ties to the wider criticism that the shutdown jeopardized national health security.

The Aftermath and Political Lessons

The conclusion of the shutdown came with a bipartisan resolution that restored the government and provided a short‑term funding bridge. However, the damage to bipartisan cooperation was long‑lasting. The article cites a Harvard Kennedy School poll that shows a decline in public willingness to support either party’s leadership on fiscal matters. It also references an op‑ed by former Senate Majority Leader Harry Keller, who argued that the shutdown underscored the need for “institutional reform” and a clearer separation between political bargaining and essential government functions.

One key lesson highlighted is the necessity of contingency planning. The federal government now has a formal “shutdown contingency plan” that was adopted after the 2018–2019 crisis, designed to keep essential services running even if Congress fails to pass a budget. The article links to the official Department of Defense website that details how emergency funds are allocated during a shutdown, ensuring that critical defense and intelligence operations remain functional.

Another takeaway is the importance of early bipartisan dialogue. Political analysts quoted in the piece stress that a delay in negotiations allowed the debate to become “escalated,” turning a procedural disagreement into a full‑blown political crisis. The piece concludes that the longest shutdown will forever serve as a cautionary tale: when political ambition eclipses the practical necessity of funding the nation, the entire country bears the brunt.

Bottom Line

The Brooklyn News12 article is more than a recounting of a 35‑day pause; it’s a study in how power politics can stall essential services, erode public trust, and have lasting economic repercussions. By weaving together primary sources, expert commentary, and empirical data, the piece offers a comprehensive view of why the longest shutdown in U.S. history still feels relevant today—reminding us that the mechanisms of governance are only as strong as the willingness of lawmakers to cooperate for the public good.