The United States government shutdown has now stretched far longer than anyone expected, and projections from Polymarket suggest it might not end until December 1. That would make this standoff last 61 days, nearly doubling the previous record.
The prolonged deadlock is already taking a toll across multiple sectors. Air traffic control is short more than 3,000 employees, training programs remain frozen, and travelers are starting to feel the effects through delayed flights and longer lines. Federal contractors and local economies are also feeling the strain as projects stall and payments are delayed.
Markets are reacting cautiously. A shutdown of this length creates uncertainty for investors who fear it could slow growth and weigh on consumer confidence. Economists estimate billions in lost productivity for every additional week the government remains closed.
Lawmakers continue to clash over spending priorities, and neither side seems ready to back down. While both parties insist they want to protect the economy, the impasse has turned into a battle of political endurance. The longer it continues, the deeper the damage spreads through the system.
If the prediction holds true, Americans could face another 28 days of disruption before Washington finally reopens.