Ahead of a meeting between lawmakers and President Donald Trump on Monday, Sept. 29, Republican leaders continue to blame Democrats for not approving a short-term bill to avoid a government shutdown in less than two days.

Without passage of funding legislation, parts of the government will close on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the first day of the U.S. government's 2026 fiscal year. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but a temporary measure keeping the government open would require at least 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate, meaning some Democratic votes are needed.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats, have rejected a short-term bill, demanding that any legislation undo recent Republican cuts to healthcare programs. The president has summoned congressional leaders from both parties to a White House sit down on Monday, Sept. 29, to find a resolution ahead of the looming shutdown.

How long have U.S. government shutdowns lasted?

Over the last five decades, there have been 21 federal shutdowns. The longest government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, occurred from December 2018 to January 2019 due to an impasse with Congress and the Trump administration over funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

If Congress does not act before 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 30, thousands of federal government workers, from NASA to the national parks, could be furloughed, and a wide range of services would be disrupted. Federal courts might have to close and grants for small businesses could be delayed.

  • 1976: Under President Gerald Ford. Lasted for 11 days.
  • 1977: Under President Jimmy Carter. Lasted 12 days.
  • 1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
  • 1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
  • 1978: Under Carter. Lasted 17 days.
  • 1979: Under Carter. Lasted 11 days.
  • 1981: Under President Ronald Reagan. Lasted two days.
  • 1982: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
  • 1982: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
  • 1983: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
  • 1984: Under Reagan. Lasted two days.
  • 1984: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
  • 1986: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
  • 1987: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
  • 1990: Under George H.W. Bush. Lasted four days.
  • 1995: Under President Bill Clinton. Lasted five days.
  • 1996: Under Clinton. Lasted 21 days.
  • 2013: Under President Barack Obama. Lasted 17 days.
  • 2018: Under President Donald Trump. Lasted three days.
  • 2018: Under Trump. Lasted several hours.
  • 2019: Under Trump. Lasted 35 days and cost the economy about $3 billion, equal to 0.02% of GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Contributors: USA TODAY's Zac Anderson, Joey Garrison and Bart Jansen; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timeline of US government shutdowns over last 50 years

Reporting by Terry Moseley, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect