The federal government remains shut down. The NPR Network is following the ways the shutdown is affecting services across the country.

The federal government shut down on Wednesday after lawmakers failed to meet the deadline for a new spending deal, leaving federal agencies to begin winding down operations as Washington braces for what could be a prolonged closure.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history happened in Trump's first term in office. In December 2018, the federal government shut down due to a lack of appropriations. The 35-day standoff began on Dec. 22, 2018, and lasted until Jan. 25, 2019.

Then, on April 25, 1980, along came then-Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti with a landmark opinion: Continuing to operate an agency without official appropriations, he ruled in response to a lawmaker’s query, constituted a violation of an obscure law called the 1884 Antideficiency Act. It was all downhill from there.

Social Security benefits will still be paid out during the government shutdown, although some services will be reduced.

Follow live updates on the shutdown for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, here. See earlier developments below. What to know about Day 27 of the government shutdown: Democrats and Republica

Air traffic control staffing shortages due to the U.S. government shutdown are causing flight delays at key airports, with significant disruptions reported in New York, Washington, Newark, and Houston.