Skip to main content
ModerateCharacter & DishonestyFirst Term

Shutdown Over Trump's Border Wall Demand Lasts 35 Days, the Longest in U.S. History

December 22, 2018Updated October 2, 20264 sources6 key facts

The partial federal shutdown lasted 35 days (Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019), the longest in U.S. history. About 800,000 federal workers were affected (roughly 380,000 furloughed and 420,000 working without pay). The Congressional Budget Office estimated an $11 billion hit to GDP, with $3 billion permanently lost.

The standoff centered on Trump's demand for border wall funding and ended with a three-week funding bill without wall funds after mounting pressure, including air traffic staffing shortages and delays.

Key Facts6
  • 01Longest shutdown in U.S. history: Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 (35 days)
  • 02About 800,000 federal workers were affected: roughly 380,000 furloughed and 420,000 worked without pay
  • 03Trigger was a dispute over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall
  • 04CBO estimated the shutdown reduced GDP by about $11 billion, with $3 billion in permanent losses
  • 05On Jan. 25, 2019, FAA staffing shortages led to major flight delays at LaGuardia, Newark, and Philadelphia
  • 06Trump agreed to a three-week continuing resolution without wall funding to reopen the government
Sources4
Verified across 4 sources
—News Reports
Government shutdown cost the economy $11 billion: CBO (CNBC)→FAA delays flights amid shutdown staffing shortages (CNBC)→OMB recalls feds to work after 35-day shutdown (Nextgov/FCW)→
shutdowngovernance-failure