America in Brief

The government shutdown becomes the second largest in U.S. history, and U.S. officials send reinforcements to tackle drug traffickers in Latin America.

The U.S. Capitol building during the government shutdown in Washington on Oct. 20, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Government Shutdown Becomes 2nd Longest in US History

The U.S. government shutdown has surpassed its third week, making it the second-longest shutdown in U.S. history.

What began on Oct. 1, after Democrats demanded the repeal of provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Working Families Tax Cut Act, signed into law in July, as a condition for their vote to reopen the federal government, has now reached a stalemate.