The recent government shutdown in the United States (US) has gone down in the country’s modern history as one of the longest fiscal impasses in its history. [i]The suspension of federal government activities has profoundly affected not only the political balance of power in Washington but also the daily lives of millions of Americans. This process has once again exposed the limits of both political compromise and institutional functioning.
At the heart of the shutdown was the failure of the two chambers of Congress to agree on spending legislation. In the American political system, for the federal government to function, both the House of Representatives and the Senate must approve the budget, and the president must sign the legislation into law. However, ideological differences between Republicans and Democrats in recent times have led to a deadlock in this approval process. In particular, disagreements over extending health insurance subsidies have deepened the crisis. Democrats have demanded the extension of these subsidies to ensure continued access to healthcare for millions of low-income Americans. At the same time, Republicans have expressed concern about the impact on the budget deficit. As a result, government operations were suspended as of October 1, marking the beginning of the crisis.
During this process, approximately 1.4 million federal employees did not receive their salaries on time. [ii]A large portion of personnel working in a wide range of roles, from air traffic controllers to museum workers, were placed on unpaid leave. However, duties in the “essential services” category, such as national security, defence, and health, continued. Nevertheless, the increasing absenteeism of unpaid air traffic controllers caused flight disruptions and significant delays on domestic routes. This situation created chaos in air transport ahead of the approaching Thanksgiving holiday. It became apparent that the government shutdown was not merely a political issue but also a humanitarian crisis affecting the most fundamental services of society.
Although the economic effects of the shutdown appeared limited in the short term, it ultimately led to a loss of confidence in the long term. The suspension of federal permits, credit approvals, and public contracts slowed economic activity. Furthermore, the failure to reimburse small businesses that are government contractors has made this sector more vulnerable. While government employees’ salaries were eventually compensated, contractors’ losses were permanent.
The interruption of social assistance has had a profound impact on low-income Americans. The partial suspension of the food assistance programme (SNAP) payments has left low-income households in a difficult situation. The suspension of some payments by court order has exacerbated the issue of food security. During this period, when approximately 42 million Americans received partial payments, social unrest became apparent. This situation demonstrated how vulnerable the state’s capacity for social responsibility is to crisis.
On the political front, the crisis has exposed both the different tendencies within the ruling party and the strategic position of the opposition. Although Republicans hold a majority in the House of Representatives, different factions within the party have struggled to find common ground on the budget. Some moderate Republicans have argued that continuing the shutdown will ultimately harm the party. In the Senate, seven Democrats and one independent member joined forces with Republicans to pave the way for a temporary political compromise. The bill, passed on November 10, provided for government funding until January 30. This arrangement was seen as a temporary solution.
President Donald Trump’s willingness to end the process signalled relief for the administration. His statement, “We are reopening our country,” indicated that the political crisis was coming to an end.[iii] However, it took several days for administrative operations to return to normal. Administrative preparations were necessary for federal departments to resume operations. This transition process demonstrated that the crisis could be resolved not only through political consensus but also through bureaucratic restructuring.
Public reactions during the shutdown were also noteworthy. Passengers waiting at airports, civil servants unable to go to work, and families unable to receive food aid began to question their faith in the state’s continuity. Reactions along the lines of “the state should just do its job” showed that American society’s patience had reached its limit. This situation has also brought about a broader debate on the functioning of democracy. When the government becomes dysfunctional, citizens’ trust in the state diminishes.
Historically speaking, government shutdowns are not a new phenomenon in the United States. There were eight short-term shutdowns during Ronald Reagan’s term, which were repeated in subsequent presidential terms. There were 21 days of shutdowns during Bill Clinton’s term and 16 days during Barack Obama’s term. However, the 2025 shutdown was unique in terms of its length and the size of the population it affected. This situation demonstrated that the polarisation of the American political system had reached a new level.
The agreement reached after the prolonged shutdown provided partial gains for both sides. Republicans succeeded in passing the budget, while Democrats secured a new vote in December on healthcare subsidies. Both parties successfully conveyed a message of success to their respective voter bases. However, criticism has grown in the public sphere that such political bargaining pushes the welfare of ordinary citizens into the background. This process has tested the flexibility and institutional resilience of American democracy.
Ultimately, this shutdown meant more than just a budget dispute. The crisis exposed the structural gridlock, social fragility, and economic dependencies of American politics. It reinforced the understanding that the continuity of the state should not be sacrificed to political competition. Mutual trust and cooperation between institutions have remained crucial as the cornerstone of democracy. Ultimately, the government reopened, workers received their salaries, and services resumed normal operations. However, it is thought that the sense of insecurity it left in society will not be easily erased.
This experience served as a warning for both Congress and the White House. It has been understood that a more inclusive and conciliatory political culture must be built to prevent a similar impasse in the future. This is because in modern democracies, it is expected that solutions, not crises, will be permanent. This prolonged shutdown in the US has highlighted the impact of politics on daily life and revealed the limits of social resilience. Ultimately, this process has exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of the American system of government.
[i] Zurcher, Anthony. “Is the US Government Shutdown Over, and Why Did It Happen?”, BBC News, www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrj1znp0pyo, (Date Accessed: 16.11.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
