USA: Longest shutdown in history and its impacts

USA: Longest shutdown in history and its impacts

The longest shutdown in U.S. history has ended, but the economic and social effects are far from resolved. The shutdown, which lasted more than two weeks, affected millions of workers and essential public services, leaving a trail of uncertainty for 2026.

Economic impacts

According to estimates from the government and financial institutions, the US GDP is expected to suffer a loss of at least one percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2025. The public sector was the hardest hit, with approximately 800,000 employees temporarily without pay. In addition, private companies linked to the government, such as suppliers and contractors, also felt the impact.

Who's going to foot the bill?

There is still no consensus on how the billion-dollar bill left by the shutdown will be covered. Congress is discussing compensation proposals for affected workers, but the debate is far from resolved. Meanwhile, experts warn of the risk of increased public debt and a possible economic slowdown in 2026.

Positions of the parties

• Government: He argues that the shutdown was necessary to pressure Congress into approving fiscal reforms.
• Workers: They are demanding compensation and criticizing the lack of planning.
• Companies: They are asking for guarantees of stability and predictability for the coming years.

Disruption and trends for 2026

The shutdown reinforces the need to modernize the US political and economic system. Experts point out that 2026 could be marked by new forms of public management, greater digitization of services, and pressure for labor reforms. The episode also ignites the debate about the resilience of institutions in the face of political crises.

Photo by Nik Shuliahin 💛💙 on Unsplash