Historical Government Shutdowns
Modeled on Wikipedia’s “shutdowns involving furloughs” table: chronological, newest first. When live APIs report an active lapse, it is listed first. The bar chart uses this same order (not longest-duration-first).
Duration comparison (same row order as below)
Short partial lapse while final appropriations were pending across chambers.
Some
119th
Republican (53 – 45 – 2)
Republican (218 – 213)
Brief early-2026 funding gap.
Source: WikipediaDHS funding lapse; ICE and Border Patrol components continued per Wikipedia sourcing.
DHS
119th
Republican (53 – 45 – 2)
Republican (217 – 214 – 1)
76-day partial lapse; ICE & CBP; described as ongoing in cited reporting through late April 2026.
Source: WikipediaFunding lapse after appropriations impasse between House, Senate, and White House.
All
119th
Republican (53 – 45 – 2)
Republican (219 – 213)
Longest full shutdown in U.S. history at time of reporting.
Source: USAFactsDispute over border-wall funding in annual appropriations.
Some
115th
Republican (50/51 – 47 – 2)
Republican (241 – 194)
Major transportation and federal-service disruptions.
Source: WikipediaDispute over border-wall funding in annual appropriations.
Some
116th
Republican (53 – 45 – 2)
Democratic (235 – 199)
Same calendar span as adjoining row; 116th Congress split control.
Source: WikipediaShort-term appropriations dispute tied to immigration and DACA negotiations.
All
115th
Republican (50/51 – 47 – 2)
Republican (241 – 194)
Short shutdown with limited operational disruption.
Source: WikipediaCongressional impasse tied to Affordable Care Act funding/policy dispute.
All
113th
Democratic (53 – 45 – 2)
Republican (234 – 201)
Broad closure of federal services and measurable GDP drag.
Source: WikipediaBudget conflict over federal spending priorities and reductions.
Some
104th
Republican (53 – 47)
Republican (232 – 202 – 1)
Extended partial shutdown with large service interruptions.
Source: WikipediaInitial funding-lapse standoff during the broader 1995-1996 budget conflict.
Some
104th
Republican (53 – 47)
Republican (232 – 202 – 1)
First leg of the 1995-1996 shutdown period.
Source: WikipediaDispute over taxes and deficit-reduction package design.
All
101st
Democratic (55 – 45)
Democratic (267 – 167 – 1)
Brief lapse over Columbus Day weekend.
Source: WikipediaBrief appropriations lapse during omnibus budget negotiations.
All
99th
Republican (53 – 47)
Democratic (253 – 181 – 1)
Short one-day shutdown affecting federal operations.
Source: WikipediaAppropriations standoff over policy riders in spending legislation.
Some
98th
Republican (55 – 45)
Democratic (269 – 165 – 1)
Short partial shutdown with same-day resolution.
Source: WikipediaVeto and appropriations conflict on spending-cut levels.
All (except Legislative Branch)
97th
Democratic (53 – 46 – 1)
Democratic (242 – 192 – 1)
All agencies except Legislative Branch.
Source: WikipediaCongressional funding dispute affecting FTC operations.
FTC
96th
Democratic (58 – 41 – 1)
Democratic (277 – 157 – 1)
First modern shutdown tied to funding-lapse enforcement.
Source: Wikipedia