Government Shutdown Threatens Longest Streak as Negotiations Stall

Thu Oct 16 2025 22:21:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

House Speaker Mike Johnson warns that the ongoing federal government shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history, with negotiations stalled over healthcare demands from Democrats.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concerns on Monday about the potential for the ongoing federal government shutdown to last longer than any previous instance in U.S. history. He stated he would not engage in negotiations with Democrats until they pause their healthcare demands. As the shutdown stretches into its 13th day, federal operations, including the Smithsonian museums, have ceased, complicating the situation further. The stalemate revolves around the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, with Democrats pressing for their renewal and Republicans maintaining that discussions should occur only after the government is reopened. Johnson has indicated that if negotiations do not lead to a resolution, the shutdown could extend indefinitely, with looming economic impacts and layoffs at federal agencies.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson has voiced concerns that the current federal government shutdown could end up being the longest in American history. As of Monday, he has stated that he is unwilling to negotiate with Democrats until they pause their healthcare demands.

Standing at the Capitol as the shutdown entered its 13th day, Johnson mentioned being unaware of thousands of federal employees being dismissed under the Trump administration, a move analyzed as a strategy to shrink government functions. Vice President JD Vance has cautioned that there are “painful” cuts on the horizon despite lawsuits from worker unions.

Johnson noted, “We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history.” With no resolution in sight, this shutdown threatens to prolong indefinitely, halting routine government operations, closing cultural institutions, and causing flight disruptions in airports, creating more uncertainty in an already fragile economy.

The House is out of session, with Johnson refusing to bring lawmakers back to Washington, while the Senate is set to reconvene after a federal holiday. However, the gridlock persists as Democrats remain firm on their health-related requests.

Johnson thanked President Trump for ensuring military personnel would still receive pay this week, which he acknowledged as one less factor pressuring negotiations. The core issue remains the Affordable Care Act subsidies, regarded as a cornerstone for millions relying on government support to secure health insurance from the Obamacare exchanges.

As debates drag on, Americans face potentially dramatic increases in insurance costs if Congress does not act before open enrollment, projected to start on November 1. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates monthly premiums could double without an extension of these subsidy payments, set to terminate on December 31.

Against this background, the ongoing healthcare debate has festered ever since the Affordable Care Act was implemented in 2010. The longest shutdown prior to this one was during Trump’s presidency, lasting 35 days over demands for border wall funding, signaling a new period of uncertainty for federal workers and government operations.