The federal government shutdown enters Day 9 since it began Oct. 1, 2025, but how much longer will it last? Here’s what to know about the longest shutdowns in history and the betting odds update on when a Senate vote will pass a funding bill to reopen.
After six failed attempts, the Senate will vote again on legislation to fund the government today, Thursday, Oct. 9, according to reports.
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans hit a stalemate with Democrats over health-care policy changes and failed to reach an agreement in the funding bill on Sept. 30. Democrats blocked a Republican proposal to keep the government operating at existing funding levels through Nov. 21, resulting in the 11th government shutdown since 1980.
U.S. government shutdowns occur when funding legislation to finance the federal government is not passed before the next fiscal year begins. This causes federal agencies to shut down services and non-essential operations and furlough non-essential workers.
Essential government services that protect human life or property such as the military, air travel and law enforcement continue to keep working.
Here’s what to know about how long this government shutdown 2025 might last and what history shows.
How long will the government shutdown last?
There is no end in sight to the current government shutdown that started on Oct. 1, 2025 and confidence in how long it will last or when it will end are just as unsure, according to the betting odds on Polymarket.
Will Senate vote today be enough to reopen government?
The Senate is expected to vote for the seventh time on legislation to fund the government today, Oct. 9.
The Polymarket betting odds are rising against the chance that Congress will pass a funding bill any time soon. Last week’s odds showed 56% believed it would pass by Oct 15; today, only 26% believe it will happen by then.
Last week, 87% were betting that a bill would pass before Oct. 31; that has dropped to 76%. There is now a 96% confidence expressed in the odds that it will pass by Nov. 30.
These Polymarket odds were posted as of Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025 at 9:26 a.m.
If these odds were to pan out, it may not be the longest shutdown in U.S. history, but still among the most significant.
What was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history?
The last and longest government shutdown was in 2018-2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term. That 35-day shutdown was caused by disputes over expanding barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border. Prior to that, there was a 21-day shutdown in 1995-1996 during Bill Clinton’s presidency over major spending cuts and the 16-day shutdown in 2013 during Barack Obama’s administration over implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
The other seven government shutdowns since 1980 lasted anywhere from a few hours to five days.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How long will government shutdown 2025 last? Odds, update on Senate vote today
Reporting by Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
