Congress and President Donald Trump have fought over federal spending almost continuously since early 2025. Those fights produced two record-breaking funding lapses: a 43-day shutdown of much of the federal government in the fall of 2025, the longest in U.S. history, and a 75-day lapse at the Department of Homeland Security in 2026, the longest for any single department.

At the same time, the administration cut spending Congress had already approved — dismantling most of the U.S. Agency for International Development and, with Congress's backing, ending federal support for public broadcasting.

At a glance

Fight When What it was about How it ended
Foreign aid cuts Early 2025 Cancellation of most USAID contracts, including emergency food aid Some programs restored; USAID largely dismantled
Rescissions package July 2025 Clawing back $9 billion for foreign aid and public broadcasting Passed by Congress
Government shutdown Oct. 1–Nov. 12, 2025 Democrats' demand to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies Stopgap bill backed by eight Senate Democrats
DHS shutdown Feb. 14–April 30, 2026 Democrats' demands for limits on ICE and Border Patrol tactics DHS funded except ICE and Border Patrol

Timeline

April 2025 — Food aid cut "by mistake"

As part of the dismantling of USAID, the administration terminated funding for U.N. World Food Program emergency operations in 14 of the world's poorest countries, including Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. The WFP warned that the cuts "could amount to a death sentence for millions." Days later the State Department said some programs "were not meant to be cut" and had been restored, without saying which (AP, via KSAT). The U.S. had been the WFP's largest donor, giving $4.5 billion the previous year.

July 2025 — $9 billion clawed back

Congress approved a rescissions package canceling $9 billion in previously approved spending, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which later announced it would shut down (States Newsroom, via Juneau Empire). (More in our explainer on Trump, Republicans and the press.)

October 1, 2025 — The government shuts down

Funding ran out after Democrats refused to back a stopgap bill without an extension of expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies, which were due to expire at the end of the year. About 13,000 air traffic controllers — essential workers required to stay on the job — began working without pay. Within a week, a rise in sick calls led to staffing shortages and long delays at airports including Nashville, Dallas and Chicago.

October 22, 2025 — Germany pays U.S. base workers

With paychecks for local civilian staff at U.S. military bases in doubt, the German government said it would cover October salaries for about 11,000 workers and seek reimbursement later. Some base workers in other countries, including about 2,000 in Italy, went unpaid (The Local Germany; AP, via WSLS).

November 2025 — SNAP and flight cuts

Food aid for about 42 million people in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was disrupted after benefits lapsed on Nov. 1, setting off court fights over emergency payments. On Nov. 7, with more than 1,000 controllers calling out, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of flights at 40 of the busiest airports (Duke University Office of Government Relations).

November 12, 2025 — The record shutdown ends

Eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to pass a bill funding most of the government through Jan. 30, 2026, with three full-year spending bills and SNAP funded through September 2026. The House passed it 222–209 and Trump signed it that night, ending the shutdown after 43 days. The bill did not extend the ACA subsidies; Democrats got only a promise of a later Senate vote.

February 14, 2026 — Homeland Security shuts down

After federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January, Democrats refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security without new limits on immigration enforcement, including a ban on agents wearing masks during arrests and requirements for judicial warrants. Funding for the department lapsed, leaving TSA screeners, Coast Guard members and other employees working without pay. (See our explainer on Trump's immigration crackdown.)

April 30, 2026 — DHS reopens, minus ICE

Trump signed a bill funding most of the department — including FEMA, the TSA, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service — through September, ending a 75-day lapse. It excluded Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, which were already funded through the 2025 tax-and-spending law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (CNBC; NBC News).

Where things stand now

The 2027 fiscal year began Oct. 1, 2026, without a shutdown. Trump signed a stopgap bill on Sept. 2 that funds the government at roughly current levels through Dec. 11, 2026, pushing full-year spending decisions past the November midterm elections (The White House). Another shutdown fight is possible in December if Congress can't agree on a longer-term deal.

Sources