On November 5, 2025, the federal government shutdown reached Day 36, breaking the 35‑day record set in 2018–2019. Hours after Democrats notched high‑profile election victories, President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans at a White House breakfast to eliminate the filibuster to reopen the government and advance his agenda.
The shutdown reached its 36th day on Wednesday, November 5, eclipsing the previous 35‑day record from the 2018–2019 partial closure. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that the standoff has become the longest in U.S. history. (reuters.com)
At a breakfast with GOP senators, Trump pushed Republicans to "terminate the filibuster" so the majority could swiftly pass a funding bill and other priorities. A transcript of his remarks shows him saying, "We have to get the country open, and the way we're going to do it this afternoon is to terminate the filibuster." Republican leaders again rejected the idea. Trump also told allies that the shutdown hurt Republicans in Tuesday’s contests. (rollcall.com)
Democrats scored marquee wins on November 4. The Associated Press called Virginia’s governorship for Abigail Spanberger, who will become the state’s first female governor. In New Jersey, AP also called the race for Mikie Sherrill over Trump‑backed Republican Jack Ciattarelli. And in New York City, Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor; AP copy published by PBS and other outlets noted his victory. (apnews.com)
Trump publicly backed candidates in two of those races: he endorsed Ciattarelli in New Jersey and, on the eve of the NYC vote, urged New Yorkers to support Andrew Cuomo over Mamdani. Both lost. (inquirer.com)
Shutdown effects mounted midweek. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will cut air‑traffic volume by 10% across 40 high‑volume markets starting Friday to preserve safety amid controller staffing stress during the payless period—an announcement made weeks before the Thanksgiving travel rush. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the safety rationale, and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said, "We can’t ignore it." (apnews.com)
Voter concerns centered on affordability and cost of living across the off‑year contests, according to the AP Voter Poll. In Virginia, voters in households with a federal employee or contractor backed Spanberger by roughly two‑to‑one, exit‑poll data show—a reflection of the shutdown’s and federal cuts’ salience in Northern Virginia. (apnews.com)
Trump has also tied his filibuster push to election and voting changes such as voter‑ID measures, echoing priorities he has floated on Truth Social and in earlier announcements; however, GOP Senate leaders remain opposed to changing Senate rules. (politico.com)
What’s next: With the shutdown now the longest on record, the Senate faces continued votes on short‑term funding while negotiators debate whether any stopgap should also address expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies—the central policy dispute at the heart of the impasse. (apnews.com)